A face of intensity is shown by Bear River D-Back's Isaac Van Patten has he rounds second base during Saturday's District 11 Tournament of Champions game played at Bear River Little League Park. The D-Backs trimmed the Grass Valley Angels, 6-1, to advance to Wednesday's winner's bracket quarterfinals against the Foresthill A's. See story below for game details.

June 21, 2009

Foresthill A's, BR D-Backs Advance In TOC

The curtain rose on the District 11 Little League Baseball Tournament of Champions for foothills area major division teams Saturday evening at Lake of the Pines.

Hosting the Area II bracket of the tournament, Bear River’s Little League Park became a beehive of baseball activity that will feature games nightly through the coming week.

In Saturday’s opening action, the Foresthill A’s captured a tight pitcher’s duel from the Penn Valley Dodgers has the A’s Aaron Arnett and Conner McCann teamed on a two-hitter to stymie the Dodgers, 2-0.

Meanwhile, in the nightcap, the home-standing Bear River Diamondbacks treated their fans to a solid 6-1 victory over the Grass Valley Angels. The win moves the D-Backs into an attractive second round game on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. against the Foresthill A’s.

The tournament resumes on Monday with the Sierra Foothills Braves from Colfax meeting Nevada City’s B squad at 5 p.m. The 7:30 p.m. nightcap then matches the Penn Valley Giants against Grass Valley’s B team.

On Tuesday the schedule has the Sierra Foothills Marlins, the league’s B team, meeting Nevada City’s A team at 5 p.m. In the 7:30 p.m. game, the Bear River Astros, BRLL’s No. 1 team, will play the Foresthill Giants.

Here’s a recap of Saturday’s games:

Foresthill A’s 2 Penn Valley Dodgers 0 - Nick Smith of the A’s delivered a RBI single to key a two-run fourth inning in the tight win over the Dodgers.

While Arnett and McCann teamed on the hill to provide the A’s a strong pitching effort, Penn Valley’s George Olsen was also impressive in the loss as he allowed just three hits.

Bear River D-Backs 6 Grass Valley Angels 1 – Cole Huckaby’s arm and bat helped spark the Diamondbacks to the first round TOC win.

Huckaby gained the mound win by twirling the first four and one-third innings and also aided his own cause with a home run in the first inning when the hosts scored four times to build an early 4-0 lead.

Martin Vigil pitched the final 1and 2/3 frames for the save while Nick Mansuetti added a big double to the winning offense.