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Blog Archive
| The Summer of 2008 |
| 7/22/2008 5:19:27 PM |
All Good Things Must Come To An End
Sadly, our 9-10ers were knocked out of the Section Championship by Tri-City Little League Saturday, July 19th.
LLP looked to avenge their sectional opening loss to Tri-City but came up short in a very exciting and well-played that ended in a 5-3 loss for Land Park Pacific.
Jack Holzhauser started on the mound and pitched five strong innings. Conor Swan got the batting order started with a lead off double and scored on an AJ Wood fielders` choice. The first inning ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the second inning. JD Mico advanced runners with a sacrifice bunt down the first base line and Conor Swan hit his second ball into the outfield to score Jack Scurfield. LLP got into some defensive trouble in the bottom of the second, but escaped the inning trailing only 3-2.
After a scoreless third, Tri-City took a 5-3 lead into the fifth inning. LLP came close to tying it up in the fifth, but we just couldn’t capitalize and left three men on. A strong Tri-City pitching effort shut us down in the sixth to end a very exciting game and close out the season for our beloved 9-10ers.
Our League would like to congratulate the 2008 LPP 9-10 All Stars, you have made us proud and we have been honored to have you represent us. We salute the coaching staff who sacrificed so much to build this outstanding team and to all of the families who put their lives on hold so that your child could experience what it is like to be an All Star. On the bright side, this fine group of ball players have a few more Little League All Star seasons to shine. Take a moment to think back on that letter you signed in May, especially that one sentence: “I’ve never met an LPP All Star who regretted the experience.” Savor your memory; in the years to come you will look back with a great deal of fondness on the summer of 2008. |
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| The Joy Of Baseball |
| 7/18/2008 10:50:30 PM |
10-11 Year Old All Stars (The Late Night Show)
The 10-11 All Stars lost to Woodcreek this evening ending their 2008 All Star Season. There is little doubt, the memory of the tonight`s loss will quickly fade only to be replaced by those 2008 All Star moments that players, parents, families, coaches and fans will never forget. Perhaps the line in the LPP All Star Commitment Letter will mean more tomorrow than it did when it was signed weeks ago, "I have never met a player who regretted being a part of an LPPLL All Star Team."
As a League, we are incredibly proud of all of our All Stars, we are grateful for having strong coaches to lead our children and we realize how much all of our All Stars--the players, the coaches, and all of the families sacrifice so that LPPLL can be the best it can be. It`s been a pleasure to watch you play, to hear such a vocal and supportive cheering section and we look forward to seeing all of you return next year. Thank you for making the All Star Summer of 2008 so memorable. We tip our hats to you!
I would like to extend a special thanks to Sue Ichiho (Mike Hokama`s mother) for providing me with game stats; these important details formed the basis for all of the 10-11 All Star Blog postings. Through the Blog, our League could experience the highlights of these incredible summer games.
9-10ers Just Won’t Back Down
LLP 9-10s Defeat Antelope
LLP scored two runs on no hits in a first inning that ended in a 2-2 tie.
In the second, Dillon Saenz rocketed a two-out double to the center field wall driving in two runs and giving the pinstripes a 6-2 lead at the end of the inning.
In the third, Cameron Cordova blasted a shot down the third base line as LLP continued its offensive assault. JD Mico brought the crowd to their feet with a superb snatch of a line drive headed for right field. LLP commanded a 11-4 lead heading out of the fourth with excellent pitching from AJ Wood.
Antelope dusted off their bats in the fourth inning with a barrage that scored 6 runs bringing the score to 11-10 in LPP`s favor and making the game nothing short of a nail biter.
The LPP boys didn`t panic and held Antelope in the 5th with some fine pitchingfrom Aaron Wong who also chalked up two more runs restoring a three-run LPP lead. Our 9-10ers added another pair of runs in the sixth closing the game with a final score of 15-11 giving Land Park Pacific the victory. Time to focus the full force of the LPP cheering section tomorrow, July 19th in West Sacramento at 11 am.
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| Stayin Alive! LPP Stars Turn Two |
| 7/18/2008 1:07:26 PM |
The Late Night Show – Starring the 10-11 LPP Stars
In another marathon game, the 10-11s came up victorious against Rio Linda after nine innings with a score of 11-9. Once again LPP was supported by a spirited group of fans who just won’t let these boys get down--no matter what!
Michael Valli and Noah Tait returned to the mound for last night’s event. Michael put seven Ks in the book pitching the first four innings and Noah chalked up 11 Ks to close out the late show. Michael collaborated with catcher Ian Allison and Noah teamed up with Dom Smith behind the plate. The game included an unusual double play that helped prove the point: Baseball is game for thinkers as well as athletes.
In the fifth, Ian Allison hit a 2 RBI double tying it up; however Rio Linda crossed the plate twice in the fifth to get on top again. In the top of the 6th,with Mike Hokama and Art Hernandez on base, Mike Hokama scored on a sacrifice play, putting LPP within striking distance of Rio Linda. Zane Janich drew a walk and Michael Valli hit a double, loading the bases. Dom Smith hit a double, clearing the bases to put LPP ahead 9-7!!
When Noah Tait took the mound, the LPP crowd thought they would be home early but the Baseball Gods were enjoying a good game and granted Rio Linda a two run homer. Keeping his nerves, Noah was locked and loaded on the remaining batters and retired the side with two consecutive strike outs, sending the game into extra innings with a score of 9 -9. The score remained tied until the 9th when Allison got on base with a single, Mike Hokama drew a walk and Kevin Stenvick took one for the team and loaded the bases. Art Hernandez (coming to the rescue) put the ball in play and Rio Linda overthrew home to allow Ian and Mikey to score to a thundering LPP crowd. Final – LPP 11 – 9. LPP will meet their match tonight 7/18, playing Woodcreek (our arch nemesis) at 5:30. Be there and believe!
They’re Back—The 9-10ers Win In West Sac
LLP took a big step to get back into the winners bracket with 12-7 victory over Rancho Cordova.
LLP got out to an early 5-2 lead against RC. The first inning featured an
excellent catch in center field by Conor Swan. LLP broke it open in the second
inning with another 5 runs, highlighted by an Alex LeForestier blast to the wall
that scored two runs.
In the third inning, AJ Wood hit the team`s first out-of-the park home run with
a monster drive over the center field fence that also scored Aaron Wong.
RC tried to mount a comeback in the fourth but came up short.
Jack Scurfield and Dillon Saenz split the pitching duties, the defense kept the heat on Rancho with good plays in the infield and Jason Frank closed it out with a dramatic game-ending catch at the left field wall.
LLP will play Antelope tonight, 7/18 in West Sacramento at 5:30. Directions are on the LPP website. Let’s go show ‘em what LPP is made of! |
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| Tough Night For LPPLL All-Stars |
| 7/17/2008 11:45:40 AM |
10-11s Go Down Fighting to Rancho Cordova
Despite the backing of a very spirited LPP crowd, the 10-11 year olds All Stars lost to Rancho Cordova in a late night game (ending at 11pm) with a score of 9 to 7. Dom Smith took the mound for LPP, pitching into fourth and keeping RC in check until several mistakes erased the LPP lead. Kevin Stenvick executed a flawless relay to Noah Tait at short who powered the ball into the mitt of third baseman, Ian Allison throwing out the RC base runner. Ben Taylor came into relieve Smith followed by Zane Janich finishing out the fifth inning. Noah Tait closed out the sixth for LPP with another strong performance from the mound throwing only 7 pitches. This reporter has to give credit where credit is due and Michael Valli did a superb job for LPP behind the plate, snagging balls, blocking them with his body and commanding the team for the entire game.
The LPP offensive was lead by the bats of Noah Tait and Ben Taylor both putting two singles and 1 RBI each into the books followed by Ian Allison with one single and a double. Dom Smith, Mike Hokama and Art Hernandez all singled. Unfortunately, LPP left the bases loaded in two innings, right when we needed the runs.
Despite the late game time start, the LPP crowd was large and vocal. The award for the largest fan club has to go to Art Hernandez whose family seemed to dominate every bleacher on the LPP side. Way to go Club Hernandez! We may be down one but we are not out – Let’s go Team LPP!
LPP will play tonight, July 17th against Rio Linda at 7:30 at Richards Field (Roseville) see website for directions.
9-10ers Loose A Rough One To Tri-City
Facing some very BIG and tough competition from Tri-City Little League, the LPP 9-10ers lost the first game in their bid for the Section Championship with a score of 9 – 4. The Blog did not get a game recap so I apologize for the lack of detail. We win as a team, we lose as a team and our League has no doubt you will turn it around tonight. Let’s get out there and support these kids, they have worked hard so cheer them onto to victory tonight (July 17th in West Sac, 5:30) against Rancho Cordova. Go 9-10ers – We Believe! |
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| Three Was Not Meant To Be |
| 7/14/2008 6:13:53 AM |
LPP Majors lost to East Sac on Sunday. Let`s get out and support the rest of the All Stars. |
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| Two D-7 Crowns and Majors Make the Finals |
| 7/12/2008 7:55:22 PM |
Majors: We Get Up, We Get Down, We Win Again!
Playing near flawless ball, the LPP Majors took it to Tahoe Tallac 16-0 in four innings to proceed to the D7 Finals. Scaling Mound Everest once again, Hayden Jones threw a smokin’ shutout assisted by catcher Aidan Flynn who blocked the plate on an attempted steal to home. Alvarez-Machado rocked the "Cruzbah" again today with stunning play at shortstop. The outfield is critical in All Stars and today was no exception—crucial catches by Beau Smith and a “Dancing With The Stars” snag by Justin Bradford in center closed Tallac down.
If the bats were quiet Friday, they were on overdrive today. With 26 batters coming to the plate in three innings, we only had one strikeout. LPP scored five runs in the first inning after two outs capped by a three-run blast over the left-center field fence by Aidan Flynn. Aidan finished the day with four RBIs. Kyle Rudd, Noah Justin, Grant Hinrichsen, and Hayden Jones all put hits in the book. Tino Luigi “loaded-up” and drove in the last two runs for LPP with a nice shot to left-center field.
The Majors will need to defeat East Sac twice to take the banner. The first game is Sunday, July 14, 12:00 PM at Tahoe Tallac.
10-11 All Stars Battle It Out To Win D7 Championship
The Battle at Airport was exciting to the end. With two spectacular fly ball catches from Zane Janich and Mike Hokama, Michael Valli was able to pitch through the first two innings with only one player from Cosumnes reaching base. Unfortunately, the Cosumnes River pitcher appeared just as untouchable.
That all changed in the third inning. Cosumnes struck the first blow with a three run homer. Michael Valli fired back with a dazzling pick off play to Dom Smith at first to get out of the inning. The Boys from the Park stepped up to the plate and showed that they brought their bats too. Adam Lentz was the first to reach base and the team batted through the line up. The two run double from Zane Janich posted the first scores on the board and LPP took the lead with a score of 4 to 3.
Cosumnes responded putting four runs of their own on the board. A great effort by Art Hernandez led to a caught fly ball in left to end the top of the inning with Cosumnes leading 7 to 4. Michael Fotis led off the rally for LPP with a single to right. The Cosumnes pitcher loaded the bases before being subbed. The Grand Salami, Ben Taylor, took the first pitch for a long ride, notching his second Grand Slam of the tournament, putting LPP back on top with a score of 9 to 7.
Cosumnes battled back scoring four runs in the fifth inning. LPP brought in their Ace, Noah Tait to close things out. He threw nine pitches and made a diving catch to end the inning with LPPLL down 9 to 11. The boys from the park dusted off their bats and came out to play. After another home run from Ben Taylor, Ian Allison hit his second two run double of the inning, scoring the winning runs and a final score of 21 to 11. Thank you to Airport for hosting us.
The LPPLL 10/11 Year Old All Stars with take the field again on Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 p.m. at Richards Field, behind Roseville High School, as they begin Section play.
9-10ers Wrap It Up With Gusto!
The LPP 9 -10ers got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning highlighted by a beautiful 1-6-3 double play from pitcher Jack Scurfield to shortstop Aaron Wong to first baseman AJ Wood. It was poetry in motion.
The Boys in penstripes blew the game wide open in the second with 6 runs for a 7-0 lead.
Back-to-back triples in the third by Dillon Saenz and Aaron Wong powered the team to a 11-0 lead at the end of three.
Jack Scurfield pitched a complete game that ended mercifully after four innings.
Congratulations 9-10ers and best of luck at the Sections. Land Park salutes Pocket Little League for executing a well run tournament.
The Section 4 Tournament will be hosted by West Sacramento Little League (Memorial Park). The first game will be Wednesday, July 16th at 5:30 PM against the District 11 Champion. |
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| Major All-Star Update |
| 7/11/2008 10:17:12 PM |
LPP Majors Take Alternate Route
The only way we can look at it is: We get to play more baseball! LPP Majors lost to East Sac tonight 3-1. Kyle Rudd threw a two-hitter working with teammate Beau Smith behind the plate; unfortunately, the ever changing strike zone did not grant LPP any favors. Grant Hinrichsen came in to relieve Rudd in the fifth and held East Sac.
Beau Smith, Michael Carter-Morse and Jonah Levis all singled this evening but LPP could not get their bats working at crucial moments. The bases were loaded for LPP in the fourth but it wasn`t just the breeze that was chilled this evening and the runners were left stranded. In the fifth, Kyle Rudd hit a screaming triple, followed by Jonah’s base hit driving Kyle home. All of us thought the tide had surely turned but the game ended with two consecutive LPP strikes outs.
All of this just boils down to the fact that life is not prefect; sometimes you get breaks and sometimes you don`t. The good news: We get to play more ball tomorrow, 7/12, 10 am at Tahoe Tallac. Don`t just come, cheer these players onto victory!
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| 9-10 All-Stars Victorious Again |
| 7/10/2008 9:20:17 PM |
Move on to the District 7 Championship
The 9-10 All-Stars played a terrific game against Consumnes River Little League that ended in a 6-2 Land Park victory. The game featured strong Land Park defense and excellent pitching by Jack Holzhauser, who pitched a complete game for the victory. Land Park spread its hitting around and manufactured runs with speed and smarts on the base paths.
The 9-10ers, following in the footsteps of their 10-11 “Big-Brothers”, will play for the District 7 championship on Saturday, July 12, 12:00 PM at Pocket Little. Come out and cheer them on. |
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| LPP Stars Succeed In Sizzling Hot Trifecta Wins! |
| 7/9/2008 10:50:56 AM |
Major All Stars Team Up For A Win
The Major All-Star Team defeated a very determined Florin team last night. It was Hayden Jones’ turn to scale “Mound Everest” and in spite of the heat (and altitude) was able to keep a very good offensive team in check. Grant Hinrichsen came in to perform a very brave mid-relief effort despite being hit on his throwing arm the previous inning (you could see the seams of the baseball imprinted into his arm). Michael Carter-Morse came in to attempt to close things out the bottom of the sixth but a couple of “check-swing” hits and a shrinking strike-zone got him into some trouble. Cruz Alvarez-Machado was then asked to quell the rally and get the final two outs – which he did on seven pitches but not without the help of Jonah Levis. Jonah made a “web-gem” catch when he came flying out of nowhere to make a running catch of a screaming line drive that looked like it was heading out of the ballpark. Hopefully everyone saw the Jonah’s catch on ESPN Sports Center last night.
LPP Majors head to the semi-finals against East Sac on Friday, July 11th, 5:45pm at Tahoe Tallac.
10 – 11 Stars Stomp Airport
The game started off with a back and forth battle. Dominic Smith kept the threats from airport in check, pitching for 10 strikeouts in four innings and allowing only three runs on four hits. Wearing the catchers gear in the 100+ degree heat, Ian Allison took charge of the Land Park Pacific team, setting the tone by cutting down the first attempted steal to Michael Hokama at 2nd base, who laid down the tag. Catcher Allison allowed only three stolen bases on pass balls. This strong defense kept the game close with a 3 - 3 tie going in to the bottom of the third inning.
Then the boys from the park brought out their bats. With a triple and a double from Michael Valli, two doubles from Ian Allison, a double from Noah Tait and more than a dozen singles from the whole team, 16 more runs were posted for Land Park Pacific and the ten run rule was applied in the fourth.
The team`s closing ace, Noah Tait, only needed 14 pitches to seal the deal and close the game with a score of 19 to 3. The 10-11s head to the District Championships on Saturday, July 12, 2pm at Airport.
(Special Thanks to Sue Ichiho and Bill Allison for their Ace reporting skills)
9-10ers Round Out The Tuesday Triple Win
The 9-10ers saw some action in their game, remained focused and the Triple Lindy win by beating Airport 12 – 7 going the full six innings.
LPP starter AJ Wood pitched 4 innings with Jack Scurfield keeping Airport at bay for the remaining innings. LPP kept Airport off the bases with stellar fielding and heads-up defense by our 9-10ers.
The offense brought it all home with Dylan Saenz starting a 5-run rally in the bottom of the 5th with a two--out single, then scoring on Aaron Wong`s to-the-fence triple. Let’s tip our hats to Alex LeForestier who also hit a 2 RBI single in that inning. The hot bats of LPP in the 5th put the game out of Airport`s reach . Way to go LPP! The 9-10ers play again Thursday, July 10th, 5:45 at Pocket against Cosumnes Little League in the semi-finals.
(I could use a 9-10 reporter, please email Happy at Ssmith@lppll.com if you can send me post game notes)
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| LPP Major All-Stars Book Win #2 |
| 7/3/2008 10:51:28 PM |
The Major All-Stars took home their second win of the 2008 All-Star tournament tonight with a score of 9 – 2 against Tahoe Tallac. Kyle Rudd threw almost five full innings from Mound Everest. LPP brought in Cruz Alvarez-Machado from the bullpen to finish off the game with Beau Smith collaborating behind the plate. Beau set the offensive tone for the game with a fence banging double in the first. Michael Carter-Morse got a hold of one and blasted a HR over the left field fence. Aidan Flynn connected in the fifth going yard with a three run blast giving LPP a commanding lead. It`s not all about the bats, Noah Justin executed a great catch in left field just when we needed it and Ben Blanchard-Saiger snagged a shot to right field robbing Tallac of a solid base hit. What makes LPP such a strong Little League? It’s the heartwarming support that everyone shows for the LPP players. Thanks for being there to cheer them on to victory. |
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| It`s A Sweep For LPP All-Stars |
| 7/2/2008 9:27:41 PM |
10-11 All-Stars Slam Home A Win
The 10-11 Year Olds continued the winning streak tonight for Land Park Pacific with a great game against Cosumnes Little League, 6 - 3. The tone for the All-Star Opener was set by Ben (The Big Bat) Taylor with a grand slam in the first inning over the heads of the Cosumnes outfielders and the outfield fence. Michael Valli took the mound as the starter for LPP with Dom Smith commanding the team behind the plate. LPP also counted on the arms of Zane Janich and Noah Tait with Ian Allison catching to close out the game for LPP. Only one LPP player would admit to Opening Game jitters, obviously these boys learned to put all that nervous energy to good use. Way to play LPP!
9-10ers Cook Up A Super Nova Against Parkway
In the game that would never end, our 9-10ers ran away with it after four innings and a final score of 36-0. AJ Woods was the starting pitcher followed by the sure-fire arms of Jack Scurfield and JD Mico to close it out. Aaron Wong had a real rarity -- hitting for the cycle with a single, two doubles, a triple and an inside-the-park home run. Every LPP player brought their bat tonight. What a game, get ready, here come the next generation 9-10ers!
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| LPP All Stars Get Off To A Good Start |
| 7/2/2008 7:00:57 AM |
The Major All Stars got off to a good start last night, chalking up a victory against Oak Park 15 – 5 in four innings. No doubt there were some first game jitters but our boys worked through it. The fourth inning offensive rally started off with a HR bomb hit by Grant Hinrichsen and another HR rocket ship fired off the bat of Cruz Alvarez-Machado to help close out the game with a ten run lead. Hayden Jones was the starting pitcher and helped keep Oak Park in check so that LPP could move in with our offensive team of sluggers. We learned a lot from that first game and it`s good to start out with a first win under our belts. LPP All Stars play again Thursday, July 3rd, 5:45 at Tahoe Tallac. Finally, the LPP players were amazed at their crowd of supporters; the sidelines were packed with our hometown cheering squad. Thanks to everyone for supporting these kids! |
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| TOC Game Updates - 6/19/08 |
| 6/20/2008 11:32:36 AM |
LPP Teams Give It Their All
In a hard fought game between the LPP Majors and East Sac Little League, LPP lost in extra innings. The game resulted in eight innings of outstanding baseball with valiant efforts by the entire Cardinal team. LPP had the good fortune to have an incredibly supportive crowd behind them; it was great to see so many people from the LPP community show up for the game. You played well Cardinals, we tip our hats to you.
The Minors (AAA) did prevail over Air Port in another hard fought game (unofficial score being 11 - 10). The LPP Minors will face East Sac for the TOC title on Saturday, 9 am at Florin. Come on out and cheer on our hometeam -- LPP Rivercats. |
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| TOC Game Updates - 6/17 |
| 6/18/2008 12:03:36 PM |
LPP Rocks District 7 TOC in Game 1
Both LPP TOC Teams (Major Cardinals & AAA Rivercats) took home wins in the first games via the ten run rule. The LPP Majors beat Oak Park 13 -2 and the LPP Minors (AAA) beat Cosumnes 11 - 5. Way to show `em what LPP is made of! Both teams will play again Thursday, June 19th. Majors at 6:30 and Minors at 5:45. See the homepage for directions to the fields. Come on out and support these two teams. |
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