The North Coast Athletics Traveling Baseball Team headed to Woodland on Saturday, braving the heat to play in a wood-bat tournament. They took to the field against three tough teams, including Junior Olympic qualifying team, the Nor Cal Pirates.

The Athletics started the day out on Saturday against the SYB Titans from the East Bay. The Athletics were unable to generate any offense against the Titans in their disappointing 11-0 loss.

With the officials and the Titans rolling against them, the As never had a chance. Catcher Steven Young had some great plays, throwing two runners out on the bases and tagging two out at the plate.

In game two that day, the As took to the field against another Bay Area team, the Nor Cal Pirates. The Pirates advanced to the Junior Olympics qualifier in Florida this year and are a very good team.

Tony Melia had the only hit of the game as, once again, the As pitchers were forced to throw down the middle.

The Athletics were shut-out, 10-0, for only the third time out of 14 games this season.

On Sunday, Steven Baumeister pitched four strong innings with Cody Raudio coming in to relieve against a tough Pleasant Valley Eagles team.

Taylor Taff hit a big two-out double with the bases loaded, driving in Richard Tamborini and Ryan Stevens who was pinch-running for Young.
Tamborini also blasted a double but didnt score on the hit. Al Huerta made a spectacular, over-the-shoulder catch at shortstop. The Athletics were unable to complete the victory, falling to the Eagles by one, 3-2.

As tough as these games were, the team really stuck together, said Coach Mike James. Most of these kids have been playing baseball a long time this year because they also played for the high school. Theyve put in a lot of miles and are tired.

Athletics baseball will host the North Coast Athletics Showdown Baseball Tournament this weekend on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17. There are two out of town teams committed and two more teams pending.