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2B | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS JULY 18, 2008
Antioch advances to State Tournament
by Avi Burk
Staff Writer
The Antioch Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars
baseball team claimed the District 3 championship last
Thursday, defeating Vallejo 14-4 to take home the title.
Despite having just a couple of weeks to practice
together as a team and having never played a competitive
game together before taking the fi eld for the tournament,
the 14-year-old All-Stars came together as a team
quickly, a factor manager Dan Peters feels was key to the
team’s success.
“They know each other from playing against one
another and playing on past all-star teams together, and
they have a tremendous respect for each other developed
in that process,” said Peters. “They root for each other
and they’re proud of each other when they do well, and
that’s not always the case (with all-star teams). In every
single spot in the lineup, they’re confi dent that that’s a
quality player and that he’ll get the job done, and that’s a
rare thing at this level.”
Antioch swept through the District 3 tournament,
starting with a convincing 12-4 drubbing of Napa. The
All-Stars followed up the strong showing against Napa
with a 5-3 win over Solano to advance to the title game.
Starting pitcher Ricky Delgado went four strong innings
against Vallejo in the championship game before
being relieved by Patrick McKnight, who closed out the
game for Antioch.
The pitching staff was also the benefi ciary of outstanding
defense, which Peters and his All-Stars believe
might have been the difference in the tournament. What
makes the team’s defensive effort all the more impressive
is the fact that none of the team’s three starting outfi eld-
ers played there primarily during the season; each is a
converted infi elder that accepted a move to the outfi eld
because it gave the team a better chance to win.
“It’s really a tribute to them being team players.
They didn’t gripe at all about making the move to the
outfi eld, even though they normally might be starting infi
elders,” said Peters. “Everybody has taken a team-fi rst
approach.”
Mike Lanter led the offensive charge for Antioch,
Photo by Dan Peters
The Antioch Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars, newly crowned District 3 champions, travel to Woodland
for this weekend’s State Tournament. The All-Stars, top row from left, are Tommy Dantono, Cameron
Darling, Jeff Garrison, Ricky Delgado, Patrick McKnight, Ronny Brohman, Blake McAuley, Jacob
Peters, Dan Peters and Darren Machado; bottom row: Engelo Sanchez, Brian Smith, Anthony Borrelli,
Thomas Riley, Josh Manci and Mike Lanter.
going 6-for-10 over the three-game tournament. Thomas
Riley went 5-for-12, and Blake McAuley reached base
nine times in three games. Jeff Garrison also added three
clutch hits, and his superb performance on the mound
was a major factor in the title run.
The Antioch All-Stars return to action on Saturday,
July 19, when they take part in the State Babe Ruth
Tournament in Woodland.
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