November 4, 2006
Star Maker 6, Utah County 5
The second-seeded victors scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to surprise seventh-seeded Utah County. A pair of errors prolonged Star Maker’s innings before Patty O’Brien drove in the winning on a grounder to short with the infield drawn in.
"I was just thinking I need to hit the ball to the right side and get the run in," O’Brien said of his game-winning at-bat. "I was just trying to do anything I could to get the team a win. And I was running as hard as I could down to first base.
"I was kind of surprised [about the comeback] but we’ve been together for a long time. We have a lot of heart and some good chemistry in the dugout. We weren’t nervous, either. We have a tournament almost every weekend and we’ve been behind a lot of times."
Ryan Parker had a pair of triples and scored three runs for the victors.
NorCal 7, ASBA Pride 3
The top seed heading in the quarterfinals received a strong effort from Tyler Davis, who went the distance. Davis, 13, scattered seven hits and struck out five.
"I was just trying throw strikes and get guys out," said Davis, who also had two singles, two runs scored and a stolen base. "It was a little easier than I thought it would be. Nothing surprised me, though. I was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count.
"It’s a lot easier when I can do that. I don’t have to worry about throwing strikes later in the count or walking anyone. I usually throw a curveball when I’m behind and changeup when I’m ahead but today it was mostly fastballs."
Joe Armstrong, who had a long triple in Friday’s opener, remained hot on Saturday for NorCal, going 2-for-3 with a homer, an RBI and two runs scored.
NW Diamondsports White 4, Arizona Dodgers 2
Ian Sagdal pitched two scoreless innings of relief to earn a save and push NWDS White into the semifinals. He faced eight batters, allowed two hits and struck out one. He also had a hit, a stolen base and scored the first run of the game.
"I came in and shut them down," said Sagdal, 13, who hails from Washington. "I’m never nervous about protecting the lead, I live for that. When we’re ahead or behind, I just have to come in and shut them down.
"I like the situation [of closing]. The excitement of it all, it’s all in your hands. There’s no pressure at all. I probably prefer starting because you never know what’s coming and I can start. But I’m used mainly as a reliever."
When he’s not on the mound Sagdal also plays middle infield and the outfield and claims Ichiro Suzuki as his favorite player because of his speed and consistency.
Team Arizona 6, Beaverton Bambinos 3
Zach Davies, 13, was a standout on the mound and at the plate. The Gilbert, AZ resident went the first four innings, scattering three hits and striking out five. He walked two but didn’t allow a run. He picked up a pair of singles, one of which drove in two runs in a three-run fourth inning, and a walk.
"When I’m having a good day pitching it usually translates into a good day offensively and that was the case today," Davies said. "And I’m not usually nervous. I’m confident when I’m on the mound. On my other travel team I’m labeled a leader and if anyone thinks I’m nervous it makes it tough.
"Today, I was just trying to keep everything low and keep the batters guessing. For the most part I did that. I’m mainly a fastball guy and today I was able to set it up with the curve."
Davies is originally from Seattle, having lived there for seven years. He said he was a big Edgar Martinez fan when he was younger but doesn’t have any favorites now. Still, he lives about 90 minutes from Peoria so he can still see the Mariners during Spring Training.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com.
