TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: Roland easily handles Santa Rosa in semifinals

Roland Insurance marched into the championship game of the Tournament of Champions by blasting Santa Rosa American, 16-8, at Rincon Valley.|

Roland Insurance marched into the championship game of the Tournament of Champions by blasting Santa Rosa American, 16-8, at Rincon Valley.

The Petaluma Valley regular-season titlists trailed only once at 3-1 and scored in every inning to get past the Rangers in a wild game that featured lots of hitting and some key misplays.

Gino Antonini took the bump for Roland and was victimized with three unearned runs in the early going when a couple of infield throws pulled the first baseman off the bag. Antonini went four innings to pick up the win, giving up five hits.

Antonini, who had a monster day at the plate for Petaluma Valley, took matters into his own hands by blasting a grand slam home run over the extended center field fence, and Roland went ahead for good 5-3 in the second inning. Overall, Antonini had seven RBIs in the contest, but got solid hitting help from his teammates.

ROLAND HAS 10 HITS

Gavin Ochoa and Sebastian Overman had two hits each as Roland finished with 10 hits and improved its glossy season record to 25-5.

The Rangers from the Santa Rosa American League came into the game averaging 19 runs per game, but contributed to their own downfall with five errors.

One dropped ball on a one-handed attempt to grab a fly ball hit by Toby Humphreys with the bases loaded led to three unearned runs in the top of the third inning. Petaluma went ahead 9-4, and the play took its toll on the resolve of Ranger pitcher Caleb Logue and his club.

Three pitchers attempted to stem the tide for Santa Rosa, but the Roland club had multiple base runners in every frame. Both teams had exhausted their pitching after three consecutive days of play.

STRIKEOUT ends game

Third baseman Chris Stephan came into the game for the Rangers after knocking in seven runs in a lopsided win over Ukiah. He continued his efforts at the plate with two solid base hits and a couple of RBIs, but ended the game on a swinging strike three against the offerings of Petaluma relief pitcher Dante Antonini.

Second baseman Overman, who played well defensively in the Petaluma City Tournament, flashed some leather again with an unassisted double play in the bottom of the fifth inning. Overman darted to his left to grab a soft line drive hit with two runners aboard, and alertly took it to second base to complete the twin killing.

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