Danville Hoots Baseball Club

 HOOTS WIN CONNIE MACK WEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2014 HOOTS Connie Mack team won the Western Regional Championship in Southern California and will advance to the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, New Mexico which begins on Friday August 1.  The Championship game featured two Northern California teams, NorCal baseball and the HOOTS.  Earlier in the day, Norcal defeated the defending champion Southern California Renegades 2-0.  The HOOTS fell behind early in the championship 3-0, but continued to play outstanding defense and scored 5 runs in the fourth inning to take the lead.  Norcal made it a one run game in the sixth inning, but the Danville team was able to get an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning.  The game ended on a double play by Austin Piscotty with the final score of 6-4.

The HOOTS will play on Saturday at 1:00PM  in the Championship game of the Connie Mack West Regional Tournament in Southern California.  The Northern California champion lost a difficult game on Friday to the Southern California Renegades 4-3.  Leading in the top of the 7th inning 3-1 the Renegades fought thru this elimination game for them to tie the game up 3-3.  The Southern California champion pushed the go ahead run across in the 10th inning for the victory.  Kyle Graham pitched an outstanding game for the HOOTS and was relieved in the 7th inning.  The Renegades and NorCal Baseball play an early game with the winner advancing to the Championship at 1:00PM against the HOOTS. The winner will move on to represent the Western United States at the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, New Mexico.

The HOOTS defeated NorCal in the winner bracket game on Day 3 of the Connie Mack West Regional 6-0.  Tim Susnara, St Francis high school,  pitched a complete game for the HOOTS.  Matt Winaker and Chris Williams each had 2 RBI's for the HOOTS.  The HOOTS now remain the only undefeated team in the tournment for the berth to the Connie Mack World Series.  Earlier in the day the SoCal Renegades eliminated Bercovich 24 and  Orange County Giants eliminated the Nevada state champion.  Four teams remain and play on Friday.  The HOOTS meet once again with long time rival and defending champion SoCal Renegades at 4:30PM. The past 4 years either the HOOTS or the Renegades have advanced to the World Series.  The bracket for Day 4 is a blind draw, and teams must play a team that they have not played.   

The HOOTS continued to advance undefeated at the Connie Mack West Regional tournament  in Southern California for the World Series berth when they defeated the Bercovich 24 team 5-1 in Round 2 of the tournament.  Junior pitcher Joey Matulonich pitched a complete game for the HOOTS.  The HOOTS fell behind early in the game, 1-0, but Mutulonich continued to contain the offense of Bercovich 24 until their own offense was able to get on track in the 3rd inning on key RBIs' by Ryan Anderson.  Manager Don Johns, "our defense is solid and we just had an issue in the first inning. I don't really know, maybe to much time at the beach.  Joey settled in after, did a great job,  and we were able to turn key double plays to help him when he needed it.  Very proud of our guys as they battle thru the tournament. We did not take an easy path to get here.   We are focused, and our players know what they need to do to reach their goal."

The HOOTS Connie Mack Team that recently won the California North State Championship opened the West Regional Championship on Tuesday July 22 held in Southern California with a 5-0 shut out over the Utah State Champion.  The HOOTS are seeking for the right to advance for the 3rd time in recent years to the Connie Mack World Series In Farmington, New Mexico.  Junior pitcher Jacob Knight pitched a complete game for the HOOTS.  The offense was sparked by catcher Tim Susnara, who led the team with his offense as well as his outstanding defense and leadership ability.

The surprise upset in the first day was the defeat of the Southern California Renegades in a 2-1 game to the Nevada State Champion. The HOOTS will resume play at 7:30PM on Wednesday July 23.

The HOOTS continue to maintain a high standard of achievement in Connie Mack baseball.  Since leaving American Legion Baseball in 2006, the 2014 title is their 6th North State Championship in Connie Mack Baseball. It included 2 Western Regional Championships and 2 trips to the Connie Mack World Series.

The turn around time from winning the North State Championship Sunday night was limited. The team traveled within 24 hours to get to Southern California to begin play on Tuesday at 1:30PM.  "Thsi is my 3rd year in the HOOTS program and we deal with adversity, and no one is going to do us a favor when a World Series berth is at stake.  Teams know our history, we came here to win" commented HOOTS catcher and team leader Tim Susnara.