Font ResizeWalnut Creek Little League
10U All-Stars
The Walnut Creek Little League 10-year-old all-star team won the 24-team District 4 tournament on July 11, with an 11-5 win over Alameda. The win capped an undefeated run against several of the top teams in the District, and it is WCLL's first all-stars District championship in over 10 years.
Walnut Creek started its run with a tight, 2-1 win over a tough Lafayette team. Josh Gregson and Jonathan Gazdar pitched, and Evan Tomlinson's walk-off single scored Robby Uesugi with the winning run. Uesugi also turned in a sparkling defensive play at second base to get out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the sixth.
Again, in walk off fashion, Walnut Creek rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth to beat Clayton Valley, 5-4. Max Michels pitched, Chaden Snarr and Brian Burke added key hits, and Mason Stenberg scored the winning run on a Gazdar sacrifice fly.
In their next game, Walnut Creek defeated Antioch, 9-2. Michels and Gregson pitched, shutting down the powerful Antioch offense, and the entire lineup contributed hits, including RBI hits by Aaron Winer and Gregson, and a three-run triple by Michels.
In the winners bracket finals, Walnut Creek next outscored Alameda 14-9. Leadoff hitter Stenberg went 5 for 5 with five runs, while shortstop Eric Prough hit two home runs, including a grand slam. Aidan Pearce and Luke Saunders added key doubles.
Finally,
With the tournament victory Walnut Creek now advances to the Sectional tournament, where it will face four other district champions from the Bay Area for the right to advance to the State finals.
Team members are: Brian Burke, Jonathan Gazdar, Josh Gregson, Max Michels, Aidan Pearce, Eric Prough, Luke Saunders, Mason Stenberg, Chaden Snarr, Evan Tomlinson, Robby Uesugi and Aaron Winer. The team is managed by Sheldon Stenberg with coaches Michael Gazdar and Steve Uesugi.
