The Orinda Nationals Finish 6 and 0 to take the Fremont 8U Tournament
The 2010 Orinda Nationals exceeded everyone’s expectations in Fremont, going 6 and 0 with great play from every player.
The first opponent was the traditionally strong El Cerrito Sharks, their “A” team. Declan McManus, Zachary Donner and Jack LaCour all were the big hitting stars in this game as they each went 4 for 4 with multiple RBIs. On defense, Declan also established himself at the hot corner, making 7 defensive plays, which is basically more than one-third of all the outs. Throw in a gun from Bennett Millham from left-center to get a big force-out at second, a Charlie Mollahan gun from catcher to 2nd to get a runner stealing, plus a great unassisted double-play by Carson Essahboy in the last inning when he was playing first, the Nats surprisingly dominated the Sharks, 26 to 5.
The second opponent would be far tougher. Having scouted this team earlier, the Newark Americans were clearly a team full of talented players who were very well coached as they defeated their first opponents, 19 to 2. After the Nats went down without a run in their first at-bat, Newark would score two to take the lead. Stevie Wilder ignited the come-back in the 2nd inning, with Kyle Jasper driving in one of the 3 runs in that inning. Newark flexed their muscles in the bottom of the 2nd with three straight hits. Luckily, no more would score as the Nats defense tightened up with the help of a great snag and throw from Stevie at PA, and a Carson grab of a hot shot hit to right-center. Trailing 5 to 3, the Nats pulled out the lumber in the next inning, scoring the max 6 runs. A double by Adrese Azanni and a triple by Stevie were the big blows in that inning. The slim 9 to 5 Nats lead would vanish in the 4th as Newark crushed the ball for six runs over the next 2 innings. Now down by two, the Nats responded in the 5th inning with Nicholas Wong starting with a bunt single. After that, the bats just came alive, with an Adrese triple and Jack Dakis double doing the big damage. Kyle then put the icing on the cake with a perfect bunt, driving in the 6th run. The Nats had regained the lead, 15 to 11. Newark failed to answer in the 5th, thanks to sharp catch of a sinking line-drive by Nich in left-center. After Charlie and Declan drove-in some insurance runs in the 6th, the Nats defense did the rest. The biggest play was on the very first at-bat which was ripped to the left-center fence. A relay from Nich to Adrese to Declan at third got the lead-off batter with room to spare for the big first out. Although they would end up scoring two more, the Nats won this barn-burner, 18 to 13.
On Sunday, game #3 would be against our old rivals, the Piedmont Yankees. Unlike in regular Pinto league play where the Yankees frequently dominate OBA teams, there was no doubt in this one. Alton Schmitt went 4 for 4 in this game to lead all hitters, scoring twice and driving in 3 runs. Every other hitter had three hits as this turned out to be a show-case of the Nats defense. Adrese ended up making 5 put-outs, and Carson put on quite the show making a spectacular grab in right-center that looked like it robbed a Yankee from a home-run, as well as sliding catch of a foul ball when he was moved to third base. Indeed, even the umpire had to comment when Carson failed to make an easier catch, “Carson, you only make the awesome catches?!” Even with the Nats agreeing to have the 6 run max-rule applied in the last inning (last inning is unlimited runs), the score was still a lop-sided 28 to 2.
The fourth game pitted the Nats against the FNYB Red team. This was another game where the Reds were simply outmatched as six Nats had a hit in every at-bat. The defense was also noteworthy as the Nats shifted players around and still shut-down the Reds. This would turn out to be a demonstration of how every Nat player was talented as everyone was making plays like they had been there all tournament. Alton made three assists at first base, with Kyle made three-put outs from the pitcher’s assistant position. With the final score of 30 to 2, the Nats finished off pool play undefeated, with the pressure of the world now on their shoulder for Monday.
The semi-finals would turn out to be the Zachary Donner show as he ended up throwing out three runners at 2nd base from right-center field in critical situations. On the offensive side, the Nats got five runs in the first, and four in the second inning. The two Jacks were instrumental with back to back two-out hits in the first inning rally. Although the Nats defense was shutting down their opponents for the 1st three innings, FNYB Blue’s bats finally woke up in the 4th and 5th innings, as they scored 7 runs to cut into the lead. With the Nats clinging to a 9 to 7 lead, and Alton, Nich and Charlie loading the bases with two outs, Declan hit a clutch triple to clear the bases to give the Nats some breathing room. Jack LaCour then collected a huge out in the next inning, soaring in to make a catch in right field. After Jack Dakis’ single in the bottom of the 5th would pad the Nats lead to 13, NYB Blue would put up one last gasp to no avail. With solid defense in the last inning, the Nats would prevail 13 to 8
Most of the Nats stayed then to watch the Americans battle Newark in the other sem-final match-up. Although the Americans played a brilliant game full of dramatic hits and inspired defense, they fell 11 to 8. The difference turned out to be Newark’s heart of the order that pounded out big runs in the last two innings, with several smashes way over the outfield.
The Championship game would not disappoint. Newark started with five straight hits, giving them three runs to start. Adrese at SS, Nich at 2B, and Declan at 3rd would then make consecutive put-outs to stop the rally. The Nats would answer with four of their own runs. After Nich got his 5th bunt single of the tournament, Charlie, Adrese, Stevie, Zach and Jack LaCour followed with hits to plate three runs. Jack Dakis would then sacrifice in the last run of the inning. Newark led off the 2nd inning with a single and a double. But Bennett, playing PA for the first-time in the tournament, would make two plays on would-be bunters. A vicious line-drive to Nich at 2nd , that he snagged, then minimized the damage to just one run.
Kyle’s bunt single got it started in the 2nd. Although Kyle got caught stealing by a great throw from the Newark catcher, Bennett’s infield single and Alton’s double eased the pain. After Nich’s bunt loaded the bases, Charlie’s double drove in two runs to make it a 6 to 4 Nat lead. At this point, all signs pointed to Newark finally unleasing their mighty bats. To the Nats’ credit, their defense held them in check. After Jack LaCour made another nice catch in right field in the top of the 3rd, back to back singles set the table for Newark. When the next batter bunted, Charlie practically leapt out of his catcher’s gear as he chased down the ball and fired to Declan at third, who applied the tag for the big 2nd out. A force play from Adrese to Nich then shut out Newark with runners on base.
The Nats by comparison were squeaking out runs here and there in the 3rd, 4th and 5th. A clutch Jack Dakis hit was the key for one run in the 3rd, clutch hits by Carson, Kyle, Bennett, Nich and Charlie generated two runs in the 4th, and Zach’s bunt hit got one more, giving the Nats 10 for the game. Now, 10 runs don’t seem like a lot, but it’s plenty as the Nats defense was absolutely brilliant in the last three innings as they shut down Newark the rest of the way. Highlights include another great play by Bennett to throw out a bunter, a beautiful catch by Alton in right field on a laser beam line-drive, Adrese throwing out a runner from his knees at short, and Zachary stealing a single by throwing out the runner at first from right-center.
After Declan registered the last out by making the unassisted play at third, the Nats finally could relax as the unbelievable pressure of being the top seed on Monday was finally gone. With a final score of 10 to 4, all of the Nats’ hard work was finally realized as they soon held the 1st place trophies, and adorned Championship t-shirts.
The Orinda American’s would like to thank all of the players, families, and coaches for a spectacular Memorial Day Tournament in Fremont!
Game 1: Orinda Americans vs. Piedmont Yankees
The mighty Americans led by Manager Michael Henderson and coaches Mickey O’Neil, Mike Curran, Brad Catron, and Pete Haughey cruised to a one run victory (17 – 16) over their friendly neighbors, the Piedmont Yankees. Although the score would seem to indicate a close nail biter, this was not the case. The Americans, inspired by multiple hits from Adam Fahd, AJ Fraser, Kyle Parr, Nicholas Bohm, Joe Henderson, Ryan O’Neil and Antonio Avella, grabbed an early 8 run lead and never looked back. Stellar defensive performances in the 6th inning from Ryan O’Neil, Matt Meredith, and Tanner Zwahlen sealed the victory for the Americans.
Americans 17 – Yankees 16
Game 2: Orinda Americans vs. El Cerrito Red Dogs
The Americans confidence was showing in game two vs. the Red Dogs. Tanner Zwahlen, Matt Meredith, Hayden Haughey each reached base successfully in all of their at bats. Ryan O’Neil blasted the only “over the fence” Home Run of the tournament with a deep shot to left field earning him a $25 gift certificate to Hooter’s. Coach Mickey O’Neil graciously invited the entire team and Dad’s to join him at his next visit to this fine dining establishment – maybe it will work at Hofbrau Europa! Declan Curran’s streak of 8 successful bunts started in game two with two drag bunts down the 3rd base line. The Americans solid infield defense led by Tanner Zwahlen, Ryan O’Neil, Matt Meredith, Declan Curran and AJ Fraser along with a strong catching performance by Hayden Catron held the Red Dogs to 2 runs!
Americans 27 – Red Dogs 2
Game 3: Orinda Americans vs. El Cerrito Blue Sharks
After an entire evening of swimming, basketball, pizza, and brownies organized by our great team mom’s, the Americans regained their focus day two against the Blue Sharks. The Americans breezed to a perfect 3-0 record after defeating the Blue Sharks 14 to 5. Multiple Americans collected big hits including Nicholas Bohm, Hayden Haughey, Joe Henderson, and Antonio Avella. Adam Fahd made the Americans first big catch of the tournament in the outfield with a great grab in right center and set the tone of the game at the plate with two line drive hits including a screamer off of Coach Mickey O’Neil’s chest in the 2nd inning. The Americans celebrated the line drive by screaming “that’s got to hurt”. Thanks for hanging in there Mickey!
Americans 14 – Blue Sharks 5
Game 4: Orinda Americans vs. FNYB Blue
In this see saw battle of two evenly matched teams, the Americans received timely hitting & heads up base running from Kyle Parr (2 doubles & a triple), AJ Fraser(1 double & 3 singles), Hayden Catron (4 singles), Hayden Haughey (1 single & 1 stolen base) and Joe Henderson with a bases loaded triple ripped down the right field line. In another tournament first, Declan Curran blasted a bunt home run. Yes I said bunt home run. Our defense also came to play with great catches from Antonio Avella at 3rd, Ryan O’Neil at SS, and Hayden Catron at PA. A special mention has to go out to Matt Meredith, our first baseman, as he bailed out numerous infield throws with his exceptional glove work at first base. Way to go Matt! Down by three runs in the 6th inning the Americans mounted a comeback but fell one run short and suffered their first defeat of the tournament to the FNYB Blue team.
Americans 14 – FNYB Blue 15
Game 5: Semifinals Orinda Americans vs. Newark Americans
For a second game in a row, the Americans faced a highly talented team and battled to the last out. After returning from a one day sabbatical, Tanner Zwahlen stole the show defensively with an MVP performance at 2nd base, earning him a post game mention from the opposing coach as a player to watch. Additionally, Kyle Parr, Adam Fahd, and Declan Curran made difficult catches look routine in the outfield. Nicholas Bohm had the outfield play of the game by throwing out a runner at 2nd base from Left Center Field to keep the Newark squad scoreless for the first three innings. Again a 6th inning comeback was needed to keep the Americans alive in the tournament. Down by 5 in the final inning the Americans scratched out two runs with timely hits from Hayden Catron, Matt Meredith, AJ Fraser, and Kyle Parr. But in the end the mighty Americans fell short.
Americans 8 – Newark Americans 11
Overall, there were a great deal of valuable lessons learned by the Americans, tons of fun times both on and off of the field, and a lot to cheer about. Hats off to the Americans, the coaches, and all of the family members that made this experience a memorable one.
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