LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Lafayette Little League All-Stars


Back row coaches/managers: Greg Young, Adam Henderson, Cliff Eisner, Brian Berry, and Dan Ventrelle Back row players: Grant Young, Tommy Namura, Drew Ventrelle, Tommy Henderson, Matt Bostwick, Greg Genovese, Adam Remotto, Max Flower, Jake Berry; In front: Jack Eisner, Ryan Cardiff Photo Sheryl Cardiff

District 4 11-year-olds All Stars

Lafayette 9 North Oakland 2

Stylish lefty Grant Young gave up one earned run and pitched a complete game to lead the Lafayette Little League 11-Year Old All-Stars to an opening win in the District 4 Tournament. The Lafayette Stars were led at the plate by Max Flower, who went two-for-four with a two-run homerun. Flower's homer was followed immediately by a Tommy Henderson solo shot, as the teammates went back to back. Lafayette lead-off hitter Drew Ventrelle went two-for-four and scored two runs for the Lafayette Stars and Adam Remotto turned in several sterling plays at second base. Troy Schmidt, Robbie Donovan and Russell Tanner all had hits for North Oakland who were coming off a nice win over Clayton Valley the previous night.

Lafayette 4 Alameda 2

Great pitching, stout defense and timely hitting were the key components for the Lafayette Little League 11-year old All Stars 4-2 victory over the Alameda All Stars. The win earned Lafayette the right to play for the District 4 Championship. Grant Young held Alameda to two runs over five and a third innings and also contributed a two run home run blast in the top of the third to put Lafayette up 2-0. Lafayette extended the lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth as Adam Remotto and Jake Berry had clutch RBI singles. Lafayette exhibited strong defense as they had no errors and turned in two web gems. Alameda scoring threats were put out as right fielder Jack Eisner made an inning ending circus catch in the bottom of the first and left fielder Drew Ventrelle executed a perfect relay throw to Young in the second to nail an Alameda runner at home plate, ending the inning. Alameda bats came alive in the sixth as Robby Jackson led off with a double, followed by a RBI single by David Cruz. Cruz then scored on a Peter Leung RBI double making the score 4-2. After an Alameda strikeout, Max Flower relieved Young and retired the next two batters to close the game.

Lafayette 10 Alameda 9

Lafayette Little Leaguers made history last Monday night in Concord, winning the first District Championship in league history with a gut-wrenching victory over Alameda. Matt Bostwick and Adam Remotto each hammered a homerun and knocked in three to power Lafayette in a see-saw affair. Alameda jumped out to a two-run lead in the top of the first, but Lafayette grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three after two were out on a triple by Max Flower, an RBI single by Tommy Henderson, and Remotto's big fly. After Alameda tallied three more in the second, Lafayette struck back with four runs in the bottom of the third on a double by Henderson, a single by Remotto, and sacrifice bunt by Greg Genovese, and Bostwick's moon shot over the centerfield fence. The tough Alameda team fought back in the top of the fourth on the strength of a two-run homer by Jennifer Lewis, but Lafayette held on for the win. The 11-year old boys now advance to the Sectionals in Petaluma.

District 4 10-Year-olds All Stars

Lafayette 5 Clayton Valley

The Lafayette 10-Year Old All-Stars began the 20-Team District 4 Tournament on a winning note, edging a tough Clayton Valley team. Lafayette was led by a stellar pitching performance by Grant Jackson, who allowed only two hits and six total base runners in five dominant innings. Jackson was supported by strong defense, including a sizzling double play by Andrew McKendell and Alex Baldwin. The Lafayette Stars got clutch RBI hits from Jack "Big Cat" Cassidy, Devin Regan and Josh Goodell, who hammered a double to the left field wall. Also delivering big hits were Sam Dinerman, Cole Gallagher, McKendell and Jack Stryker. Regan earned the save, closing the door on Clayton Valley in the sixth.

Lafayette 5 Continental (Walnut Creek) 0

Behind the dominant pitching of Jack Cassidy the Lafayette 10-Year Old All Stars remained undefeated and un-scored upon in the District 4 Tournament, whitewashing the Continental Little League All Stars from Walnut Creek. Cassidy pitched a complete game 4 Hitter and only allowed 5 total base runners. Lafayette's defense sparkled, led by two double plays, Grant Jackson and Josh Goodell combining for one and Alex Baldwin and Goodell on another that closed out the contest. Devin Regan, Josh Goodell, Cole Gallagher, Grant Jackson and Jack Stryker had big days at the plate for the Lafayette Stars.