Little League All Stars: Pleasanton American 12s Advance to Winner's Bracket Final

The Star: Coach Don Galli only wanted two innings out of his starter Connor Mays — Mays gave him 4 1/3. He was on top of his game from the start as he threw a hitless first, then cruised through the rest of the day, giving up one run on six hits.

The Turning Point: Pleasanton American was clinging onto a four-run lead when Justin Goodman entered the game with a runner on first in the top of the fifth. Goodman quickly shut down any Livermore American thought of a rally en route to the winner's bracket semifinal victory.

The Quote: "This win was a total team effort," Galli said. "This was by far the best six innings we've played this tournament."

What's next? Pleasanton American will continue its trek through the winner's bracket as it matches up against San Ramon on Monday at Osage field 1. If Pleasanton American win's that game it will have won the winner's bracket side of the tournament. Livermore American will head down to the loser's bracket to face either Pleasanton National or San Ramon Valley.

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When Don Galli was picking the Pleasanton American 12-yearold all star team, he had hitting in mind.

Little did he know, it was pitching that would lead to Pleasanton American to an important victory Tuesday evening.

"We only wanted two innings out of (starter) Connor Mays," Galli said. "He gave us four strong innings and lifted the team to victory. Him and the rest of our pitching staff deserve a lot of credit for this win."

Pleasanton American only sacrificed three runs on eight hits and added six strike outs. What might be most impressive is the zero walks allowed by pitchers Mays and Connor Goodman.

Pleasanton American gained a 3-0 lead with a Patrick Loughnane three-run homer in the bottom of the first.

It would never look back.

The boys from Pleasanton added one more in the bottom of the second on a Sam Molz RBI single.

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, Pleasanton American capitalized off three Livermore American errors to seal the victory.

Livermore American's Noah Brandt hit a two-run homer in the sixth to bring the final score to 7-3.

Pleasanton American had at least one hit every inning and scored in three of the five innings they hit in.

"This win really feels good," Galli said. "We hit the ball very well and played some great defense and pitched very well."

With the win, Pleasanton American sits in a good position to win the tournament. Galli, however, doesn't feel like the team is getting too arrogant about their chances.

"This is really good mix of kids, so there is no over-confident player on this team," Galli said. "All the boys want to do is play, so they take the game very seriously. They're not just satisfied with this win, they want more."

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Pleasanton American LL 7, Livermore American LL 3

Livermore American 000012 — 3 8 2  

Pleasanton American 31003x — 7 9 1 

Livermore American — Payne 1-3-0, Parker 0-2-0, Guillan 0-1-0, Mamaoag 0-2-0, Penrod 1-3-0, Griffeath 2-3-1, Brandt 2-3-1, Stavert 1-3-1, Cruz 0-1-0, Defrenchi 0-1-0, Silvas 0-1-0, Wirth 1-1-0

Pleasanton American — Martin 0-2-0, Wilson 0-1-0, Mays 1-3-1, Goodman 2-3-2, Geasa 1-3-1, Loughnane 2-2-2, Kwon 0-2-0, Myers 0-1-0, Galli 0-1-0, Coles 0-2-0, Still 1-2-1, Parisi 1-1-0, Molz 1-1-0

Pitching

Livermore American — Stavert 4 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 8 H, 3 K, 1 BB; Guillan 1 IP, 3 R, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 K 1 BB

Pleasanton American — Mays 4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 3 K, 0 BB; Goodman 1 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 K, 0 BB

Hitting

2B — Brandt (Livermore American), Loughnane (Pleasanton American) HR — Brandt (Livermore American), 6^th, one on; Loughnane (Pleasanton American), 1^st, two one