July 26, 2007

SPORTS

Almaden Major All-Stars end season with pair of losses in Section 5 All-Star Tournament

Almaden South squad drops back-to-back losses to Moreland, Aptos

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The ride is over for the Almaden South Major All-Stars. Just days after winning the District 12 Major All-Star Tournament over neighborhood rival Almaden North, the Almaden South team suffered back-to-back losses on July 20 and 21 in the Section 5 Major All-Star Tournament to end the squad’s season. On July 20, the Almaden South team lost 10-9 after allowing a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to Moreland, before dropping an 11-1 final to Aptos the next day in the double-elimination tournament, held at River Glen Park in San Jose.

Almaden South’s Dylan Bell releases a pitch during a 10-9 loss to Moreland to open the Section 5 All-Star Tournament on July 20. Bell hit a three-run go-ahead home run in the top of the sixth, before Moreland struck back with a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the inning to win the game. Photo by Diego Abeloos

“The boys were bigger than us, faster than us and stronger than us,” said Almaden South manager Dion Pizzo. “That’s where, I think, when you have to split Almaden in half, into two teams, it really hurt us. If we had the big sticks from the other side (Almaden North), we probably would’ve been able to match up.”

Against Moreland, Almaden South battled back from an 8-4 deficit in the top of the sixth, getting a single from Matt Triplett and consecutive walks from Ryan Perry and Jack Pizzo before a sharp grounder from Travis Painter glanced off a Moreland infielder, allowing Triplett and Perry to score and cut the lead to 8-6. Then came Almaden’s big blow, as Dylan Bell stepped up and promptly launched a three-run home run to right-center field, giving Almaden South a 9-8 lead.

“It’s funny how that happens,” Pizzo said of Bell’s home run on July 20. “It seems like the top of our order, from the No. 1 batter right through the No. 4 batter, always seems to come through for us, and that’s what happened.”

The lead did not hold, however, as Moreland got a runner on base after getting hit by a pitch with one out, before a two-run, walk-off blast to center field ended the game with Moreland on top, 10-9.

Things did not fare much better for Almaden South the following day, as the team mustered one run in an 11-1 loss to Aptos, thereby eliminating it from Section 5 competition. Almaden South’s lone run came in the first inning, when Jack Pizzo doubled before stealing third base and home. Despite the lopsided loss, Pizzo noted that his team hit the ball well, albeit right at the Aptos defense.

“That team had everything going for them,” Pizzo said of Aptos. “It’s not that we didn’t hit the ball, we just hit it right at people.”

With the season drawn to a close, Pizzo said that he will remember the 2007 season, and most notably the Almaden South All-Stars, fondly.

“I wish I could do something special for them,” Pizzo said of his team. “What they did for me, as far as showing up for five weeks of practice every day and, even though they won the district, I feel like I owe them something for how special they made it for me.”

Plenty of local talent at 33rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football game

Three seniors from Leland and Pioneer compete as members of South squad

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Almaden had plenty of local representation at the 33rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game on July 18.

For Pioneer, seniors Chris Brookmeyer, Steven Lopes and Jason Wetzel all donned South colors at this year’s All-Star game. Likewise, Leland’s Lance Gemette, Adam Ondi and Daniel Schroeder also competed in the final football game of their high school careers.

Pioneer’s Steven Lopes (left). Photo by Dan Miranda

Brookmeyer, who was also named a team captain for the South, said he will remember playing in the game fondly.

“It was just an honor to play, to begin with, and to play here at San Jose State,” said Brookmeyer. “It’s a shame we lost because we our chance there at the end. …I still had a blast. It was worth everything, with all the people we met and all the guys here.”

Brookmeyer also noted that he was happy to play with some familiar faces in Wetzel and Lopes, two players he’s played with at Pioneer for four years.

“It’s good to have someone you know on there, that you’re comfortable with,” Brookmeyer said. “You get to know everyone and you get to break up those rivalries, but it’s nice to know that if all else fails, you’ve got your people who you’ve been playing with for four years and who you’ve been through it with. It’s an honor to be able to play one last game with them and just be here.”

Brookmeyer’s sentiments for being able to play in the game were shared by Leland’s Gemette, who had the opportunity to compete alongside two of his Charger teammates.

“It feels great,” said Gemette. “Just playing in this game means a lot, especially playing with these two (Ondi and Schroeder). I was close with them on the team to begin with and then to come out with them, it’s nice knowing people before you come out for things like this.”

Gemette, however, will continue to see a familiar face this fall. He and Ondi will head to Sacramento State University, where both players will suit up for the Hornets football team.

Chris Brookmeyer of Pioneer (57). Photo by Dan Miranda

“I’m excited,” said Ondi of playing football at Sacramento State this coming fall. “It’s going to be tough, but definitely an experience.”

Gemette noted that he relished the chance to play in an NCAA Division I facility–Spartan Stadium–before embarking on his own college football career.

“The environment was unbelievable,” Gemette said. “There weren’t quite as many people as there are in college games, but still way more people than I’ve ever seen. It was crazy. I loved it. I can’t wait for this.”

Brookmeyer, meanwhile, will move on to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall and major in industrial technology while also trying his hand at playing rugby at the school. He noted that he will look back on his four years at Pioneer with nothing but good memories.

“I had a blast,” Brookmeyer said of his four years playing football at Pioneer. “I loved it. I’m going to miss it more than anything else I do. It was a wild ride and it had its ups and downs, but the memories that we have are just amazing.”

Sports Briefs

Join the Almaden Aftershocks Boys’ U14 Soccer
The Almaden Aftershocks U14 Boys’ competitive soccer team is looking for several new players (born between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994) for the fall season to be part of a winning tradition and a team-family culture. The Aftershocks’ coaches strive to improve fundamental soccer skills, build team spirit, improve physical fitness, create life-long friendships, and focus on team-building attitudes and fair play through practicing and playing soccer, and having fun! Our players are personally trained by an English Premier Trainer. Contact coach Mark Schrick at schrick@pacbell.net or (408) 391-6664 for more information.


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