Loss Proves a Gain in Junior Stars' Title Run

The 13- and 14-year-olds on the Junior Division All-Stars learned a valuable life lesson on the baseball field earlier this month.

It’s not how hard you fall. Rather, it’s how quickly you get back up.

Despite losing its third game in the double-elimination District 45 Tournament, Castro Valley got on a roll in the losers' bracket, winning five games in six days en route to the crown.

“The biggest thing was: The kids were ready to play from that point on. They were involved in every inning, every pitch,” said Manager Marty Honda. “That was nice to see, because when kids reach this age, you don’t know what to expect. They were so focused, very determined.”

Castro Valley swept previously unbeaten San Lorenzo 8-4 and 6-4 in the finals at Proctor School, but arguably the biggest win came the night before the first San Lorenzo game. That’s when Castro Valley rode the pitching of Joaquin Soto and Kevin Burt to a 9-2 win over a Mt. Eden team that Honda considered the favorite in the tournament.

“I had no expectations. I knew Mt. Eden was very deep in talent,” Honda said. “I just said: Let’s play good ball and see what happens.”

Ryan Huey pitched the first game against San Lorenzo and Soto the second. Burt closed both wins.

In the end, there was no doubt why Castro Valley prevailed, Honda assured.

“Our pitching is what got us through. Our pitching was by far the best of all the teams,” Honda said.

And, surprisingly, that early loss didn’t hurt, either.

“They started playing better and better. Everything started to come around. It was nice to me,” Honda said. “Playing consecutive games, our level of play really elevated.”

Honda cited the hitting of Huey and catching of Kevin Galvan as two other keys to the championship, but also noted, “When you win as a team, everybody kind of chips in.”

The District 45 title qualified Castro Valley for the Sectional Tournament in Tracy.