Little League All Stars: Albany 12s Open District 4 Tournament With Big Win

The Star: Albany's starting pitcher, Nathan Greco, came out strong from the start against Martinez on July 2. He struck out the first three batters, looking to set the tone for the remainder of the game. Greco allowed two hits in his three innings of work.

The Turning Point: In the top of the first, Jeremiah Holmes hit a single to knock in the first of Albany's runs. After that, there was no looking back. The team went on to score four runs in the first and finished with 11 by the end of the fifth.

The Quote: "I'm proud of the way these boys played," coach Frank Knowles said. "It was the first game and I think they did a fantastic job hitting."

What's next? Albany moves on in the winner's bracket of the District 45 tournament, facing Walnut Creek on Monday at 6 p.m. in Walnut Creek. Martinez drops into the loser's bracket and will play Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Concord against either North Oakland, South Oakland or Concord American.

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Coming into the first round of the District 4 12-year-old All Star Tournament, the Albany team had something to prove.

After allowing only two hits in an 11-0 victory over Martinez on Friday, Albany showed it will be a serious contender for the district title.

Albany wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, putting up four runs in the first inning. Jeremiah Holmes, who knocked in the first run for his team, was hot at the plate all night. Holmes drove in four runs and hit a two-run homer in the fifth to cap off the scoring for Albany.

Manager Frank Knowles said several of his players had been playing with a 50-foot plate-to-mound distance, but tournament rules require just 46-feet.

"During our two scrimmages this week the boys were still adjusting at the plate because the ball is much faster at that distance (of 46 feet)," he said. "But today they hit great."

Holmes was not the only big hitter against Martinez. Willie Bass hit two doubles and earned two RBIs, while Avery Tonkyn went 3 for 4 at the plate and scored three runs.

Albany also showed up big at the mound, with starter Nathan Greco and relief pitcher Niel Pollack shutting down the Martinez offense. Greco struck out four batters and allowed only two hits in three innings, and Pollack struck out three of the five batters he faced.

"To be the starting pitcher in the first game of the tournament is an easy way to get the jitters and get nervous," Knowles said. "But (Greco) pitched really well."

Martinez manager Steve Therssen said his team hit well in practice, but could not get solid contact against Albany's pitchers.

"We just were well out-hit, and that was the difference," he said.

Therssen also acknowledged the Albany defense, which turned two double plays during the game.

Martinez's only two hits came on singles from catcher Jeremy Therssen and shortstop Sam Nishita during the first.

With Albany's strong performance Friday, the team moves on in the winner's bracket to face Walnut Creek on Monday at 6 p.m. in Walnut Creek, where the players hope to continue their hitting streak. Martinez's next opponent is yet to be determined, but the team will play Tuesday in Concord.

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Albany 11, Martinez 0

Albany 413 03X - 11 12 1
Martinez 000 00X - 0 2 1

Albany (ab-r-h) Knowles 1-1-1, James 1-0-0, Tonkyn 4-3-3, Williams 3-2-3, Holmes 4-2-2, Camps 1-1-0, Katz-Balmes 1-0-0, Treseler 1-0-0, Warren 0-0-0, Pollack 1-1-0, Bass 2-0-2, Layton 1-0-1, Greco 3-0-0, Whittemore 3-0-0; Totals 26-11-12.

Martinez (ab-r-h) Viano 1-0-0, Abono 1-0-0, Therssen 2-0-1, Corkran 1-0-0, Nishita 2-0-1, Kelly 2-0-0, Marty 1-0-0, Zimmerman 1-0-0, Lucido 1-0-0 Contreras 1-0-0, Akers 1-0-0, Mangini 1-0-0, Machado 1-0-0; Totals 16-0-2.

Pitching

Albany: Greco 3+ IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 K, 1 BB; Pollack 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 K, 0 BB.

Martinez: Machado 2.2 IP, 6 R, 8 ER, 6 H, 5 K, 6 BB; Kelly 1.2 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 K, 1 BB; Nishita 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 K, 0 BB.