June 12, 2008

SPORTS

Off to the Tourament of Champions!

The Almaden White Sox Little League team went 17 and 2 this season, winning the Almaden North Little League regular season title and the end of season playoffs. The White Sox will be playing in the District 12 Tournament of Champions this weekend. Batter up!

Muck Dogs dominate Almaden Juniors Tournament

The Almaden Muck Dogs surprised everyone but themselves defeating the TOC champion Thunder 10-6 to claim the Almaden Juniors Tournament championship June 1.

Given up for dead after beginning the season 3-9, the Muck Dogs fought back to win eight of the last nine games, losing only a goof-off game to end the regular season. The team showcased great pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting, outscoring opponents 29-8 in three tournament games.

The Muck Dogs gather for a photo after winning the tournament championship. In the back row, from the left are Greg Asplund, Chris Asplund, Kevin O'Malley and Scott McLaughlin. In the middle row are Bruce Jensen, Bryce Jensen, Ryan Gong, Cal Smith, Tim McLaughlin (hidden) and Eric Rios. The front row includes Brandon Swain, Matthew Rios, Jack Pizzo, Andrew Gregarick, Mike Allen and Paul Rose. Andrew Nelms is not pictured.

An 8-1 victory over the Rockhounds was highlighted by the four hit pitching of Chris Asplund, Tim McLaughlin and Jack Pizzo, who had three hits and Mike Allen, who had two hits to lead the Muck Dogs.

Asplund dominated the second game, holding the power-hitting Mud Cats to five hits while striking out seven batters in a complete game 11-1 victory. The Muck Dogs scored five runs in the first inning on RBI singles from Mike Allen and Paul Rose. Andrew Gregarick added a clutch RBI double. Cal Smith’s two hits and two RBI’s combined with two hits each from Pizzo and Allen lead the hitting attack.

The championship game began with the Thunder flexing their muscles in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. They would have scored more if not for a web gem by Muck Dogs right fielder Brandon Swain. With runners on first and third and one out, Ben Maxwell hit a rocket to right-center field. Swain went back and to his right, making a head long diving catch to rob Maxwell of a sure extra base hit.

The Muck Dogs battled back to scratch out two runs in the second and three in the third inning to take a 5-1 lead. Smith’s RBI triple led the three run third.

The Thunder countered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning, making it a 5-3 Muck Dog lead. Asplund’s two RBI singles in the fourth, scoring McLaughlin and Ryan Gong, made it a 7-3 game. The Muck Dogs put the game away in the top of the fifth when Paul Rose and Bryce Jensen singled, followed by Gong’s two RBI hit to give the Muck Dogs a commanding 9-3 lead.

The always-tough Thunder scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth on RBI singles by Maxwell and Bobby Rose. The Muck Dogs added a run in the seventh, making the score 10-6. In the bottom of the seventh, the Muck Dogs had one more web gem up their sleeve. Thunder’s Tyler Champlin hit a long fly ball down the right field line. With right fielder Bryce Jensen playing the gap in right-center, it did not seem possible for him to even get to the ball. Jensen turned on the gas, extending his left arm to catch the ball in the tip of his glove, nearly falling to the ground.

Muck Dogs pitcher McLaughlin held the Thunder to only one earned run in the first four innings. McLaughlin tired in the fifth inning and was replaced by closer Pizzo, who held the Thunder hitless the last two innings to seal the championship victory.

Ryan Perry led the Thunder with two doubles and three runs scored. Asplund and Paul Rose paced the Muck Dogs with two hits each. When asked how the Muck Dogs turned their season around, Muck Dogs manager Bruce Jensen replied, "This was about 12 young men overcoming obstacles by working hard, believing in each other and having fun doing it. It was a total team effort. It's great to be a Muck Dog!"

Sports Briefs

Go 4 Gold Soccer School
Go 4 Gold Soccer School presents its 2008 Summer Soccer Camps program. We offer week long, coed soccer camps for players age 5 - 16 in both San Jose and Los Gatos, coached by our staff of highly trained, certified professionals. Go 4 Gold also offers year round GoalKeeping & Field Player Academies every Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m.

For a camp schedule, locations or additional information, please call 997-7775 or visit www.go4goldsoccer.com.

Leland Junior Spirit Camp sign-ups
The Leland High School Spirit Squad is hosting its annual Junior Spirit Camp June 16 - 20 from 9 am to noon each day. The early bird camp registration fee is $120, increasing to $140 on June 1. The camp will offer instruction in cheers and dances along with games, arts and crafts and snacks for children entering K-8 in the fall of 2008. All campers will be invited to perform at a Leland High School football game in the fall. For more information or an enrollment form please contact lelandjsc@gmail.com or Jeanne Sommer at 472-6112.

Evergreen Valley Soccer summer camps
EVS will be offering two soccer camps this summer. Sessions begin June 22 -26, with the All Girls Academy. The Academy is designed to help players develop all aspect of their game and topics will include: Ball mastery / Beginning and intermediate technical skills / Small-sided games / Offensive and defensive team tactics / Training for speed, agility, quickness.

Eligible girls are ages 8 – 17 and the fee is $145 per person (team discounts are available). Academy hours are 4 – 7 p.m.

The “Little Hawks” Academy is designed for players age 5 – 8 and focuses on having fun while learning new soccer skills. Coached by members of the EVC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Team, campers will participate in a variety of soccer games and activities. Session one is Aug. 4, 6 & 7 and Session two is Aug. 11, 13 &14. The fees are $90 fro one session, $140 for both. Hours are 9 – 11 a.m.

For additional information or to register, call Felicia Perez at 274-7900 x6910 or email Felicia.Perez@evc.edu.

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