June 19, 2008

SPORTS

Almaden White Sox season ends at TOC

The Almaden White Sox had a great season. The team went 14 and 2, and cruised to the Almaden North Little League regular season title.

The team entered the Almaden North’s double elimination playoffs as the number one seed. On May 27, they opened with a 12 to 2 win over the gritty Yankees.

Leadoff hitter Brett Watanabe got on base four times and scored three runs. Jake Dabak’s RBI single in the third and Colin Kuh’s RBI triple in the fourth inning helped break open a close game. Catcher Max Aiken and third baseman Logan Glaspy both went two for three pacing the team. Matt McLaughlin pitched a complete game, striking out 11.

On May 31, the White Sox played the heavy hitting Twins. The Twins scored four runs in the first inning and held a 5 to 3 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. McLaughlin hit a dramatic three run homer putting the Sox ahead for good. Martinez pitched a complete game, striking out six and sealing the 6 to 5 victory.

On June 5, the White Sox played the Twins again for the championship. The Twins again scored three in the first and held a 4 to 2 lead in the fourth inning when the dramatics began.

With two outs, runners on first and second, and two strikes, John Zendejas hit a single to right field to score a run. Watanabe followed with a single and Kuh hit a double to put the Sox up 5 to 4. Great catches by Michel Otto in center field in the fifth and Zendejas in right in the sixth delivered the championship in a 5 to 4 thriller. Steady play by Jake Urban, Brian Clark and Chris Osugi were vital to the victory

However, the season was not quite over for the White Sox. They advanced to represent Almaden North in the District 12 Tournament of Champions, which started June 14. In that tournament, the White Sox first round opponent was the Union Little League Mets.

Unfortunately, the Sox bats went silent. Although a solo home run by Martinez in the sixth got the crowd going, the Mets held on to a 2 to 1 victory. McLaughlin pitched a complete game striking out 10.

Despite the loss, White Sox Manager Scott McLaughlin was upbeat, “We had a great season. Winning the league and playoffs was a huge accomplishment since the Almaden community plays baseball at such a high level.”

The White Sox were coached by Troy Martinez, Jeff Dabak and John Kuh.

The White Sox sing the national anthem just before the Tournament of Champions game on June 14.

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.

Sporting ‘98G Girls Soccer
The Sporting '98G Team is looking for experienced players born after 07/31/98 looking to join our team as we prepare to become a U10 Class 1 Team. Club goalies can receive free keeper training with a licensed trainer.  A second Class 3 team may form if enough girls tryout. For more information, please contact Michael Kutney at scsportinggirls98@bigfoot.com or 644-4304.

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