Cobras Come up Short in AABC State Final, Earn Bid to Western Regionals
7/28/2008 11:32:00 PM
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The California Cobras (Carmichael) played Fontanetti's in the AABC State championship game at Bayland Park in Palo Alto Sunday, but a tough battle resulted in a 3-2 Cobras loss despite previously handing Fontanetti's its only loss in the tournament. The Cobras and Fontanetti's now advance to the Western Regional Tournament held next weekend (August 1-3) in Sacramento at McAuliffe Field.
“The guys played solid baseball against tough teams this weekend, in a tournament where none of the teams finished without a loss”, said Cobras manager Mike Breining.
Fontanetti’s held the Cobras to six hits with Kevin Finklea (Stockton, American River College) picking up half of the Cobras hits going 3 for 3 with two runs scored. Matt Breining (Granite Bay, Sierra College) delivered with a double.
In the semi-final contest played earlier in the day, the Cobras pounded the Novato Knicks, 14-2. Chris Garcia (Roseville, Sacramento City College) took over for starting pitcher Dustin Stoddard (Cameron Park, Sierra College) in the second inning with the bases loaded, and then allowed only one run in the remaining 5 1/3 inning pitched (game shortened to 7 innings due to 10-run mercy rule).
John DeCarlo (Roseville, American River College) was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate, and Derek Roe (Roseville, American River College) was one hit shy of the cycle going 3 for 4 with a triple, double, and single. Luke Gadow (Pollock Pines, American River College) went 2 for 3 with a double and three runs.
The tournament started on a sour note when, in the top of the second inning of Game 1 against the Palo Alto Oaks, Cobras starting first baseman Josh Dawson (Granite Bay, Mesa College) broke his collar bone as the result of a collision with the Palo Alto catcher as Dawson was trying to score from first base on a deep double hit by catcher Ian Cook (Rescue, American River College, Sonoma State). The absence of Dawson was a big loss for the Cobras given Dawson’s defensive skills at first base, and with his .314 BA coming into the tournament. Stepping in for Dawson at first base was John DeCarlo (Roseville, American River College) who also played solid defense and contributed with runs and five RBI to the Cobras' effort over the weekend.
”I'm proud of how the guys bounced back from the unearned runs and Josh's injury in the first game to take care of business for the rest of the tournament,” said Breining.
The first Cobras game of the Western Regional tournament will take place this Friday, 1:30 pm, against the winner of the Sacramento Legends v. San Diego Region match up. The winner from the tournament goes to Huntsville, Texas for the AABC World Series starting August 13.
Third baseman Ben Elkin makes the tag at third for the out (photo by Bob Stoddard)
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Breining's double was the Cobras' only extra base hit in the title game (photo by Bob Stoddard)
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Garcia limited the Knicks to just one run in 5 1/3 innings (photo by Bob Stoddard)
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Ziadeh slides safety into third in the semi-final against the knicks (photo by Bob Stoddard)
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Cobras team photo prior to the championship game (photo by Bob Stoddard)
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