Babe Ruth 14s fall into losers bracket

Can't afford another loss|

The Sonoma Babe Ruth 14-year-old all-stars started play in the Northern California State Tournament this past weekend in Woodland against a tough Palo Alto team that won the District 6 Championship.

The game was close the whole way with Palo Alto taking an early 2-1 lead and the teams matching scoreless innings until the fifth inning before a few defensive mistakes put Sonoma away for good as they dropped the game 6-3.

Sonoma got a strong pitching outing from Nolan Dunkle, who pitched a complete game, allowing only two earned runs, with seven Ks. The loss dropped Sonoma down to the losers’ bracket where every game is an elimination game.

With their tournament on the line, Sonoma faced Elk Grove on Monday evening at historic Clark Field in Woodland. Elk Grove jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Sonoma bounced back with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. In a tight defensive battle, the four runs would prove to be enough as Sonoma held on for a 5-3 victory to move onto the next round.

On the mound for Sonoma, Ricardo Cab got the win pitching four innings and Brady Armitage picked up the three-inning save. Sonoma played great defense behind its pitchers turning three double plays in the game, including a spectacular game ending double play by third baseman Tanner Rozema. The Sonoma 14s had a rematch lined up with Palo Alto Thursday evening and will need to win four straight games to advance to the Western Regionals in Murray, Utah.

The 14-year-olds include Brady Armitage, Ricardo Cab, Jason Chiotti, Nolan Dunkle, Dom Fiorito, Ricky Mendoza, Will Natuzzi, Claude Pepe, Riley Phelan, Tucker Pierce, Tanner Rozema and Trevor Velarde. The coaches are Johnny Armitage, Luke Dunkle and Jim Hess, with Curt Dunkle as the manager.

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