Pony Black Sox take sectional tourney title, advance to regionals Pony Black Sox take sectional tourney title, advance to regionals (July 30, 2004)

After facing tough competitors throughout the Pony Sectional Tournament last week, the Pleasanton Black Sox emerged victors in the championship game against Diablo Valley in a 9-2 victory.

With this tournament win, the team of 14-year-olds will continue their march towards the Pony World Series with play at the Pony Regional Tournament in Los Altos, which began July 27.

In the championship game held July 22, Diablo Valley jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning and the Black Sox were retired three up to bat and three down in their half of the first inning.

Diablo Valley opened up the second inning with a leadoff single, but Pleasanton's Christian Ruge and J.R. Graham turned a double play and pitcher Robbie LeClair struck out the last batter to end the Diablo's rally.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Black Sox offense came to life. Troy Channing led off with a single that was followed by Graham's RBI single, bringing the game to a tie score.

A hit by the pitcher put Tom Bennett on the bags, loading the bases for Brett Christopher's three-RBI double that boosted the Sox to a 4-1 lead.

Diablo Valley struck back with a run in the third, narrowing the lead to 4-2. The Black Sox offense hit back with three runs, powering through the fourth inning with RBI doubles by Channing and Brandon Renker.

With two more runs notched up in the sixth inning, the Black Sox secured the championship title with a 9-2 victory.

LeClair earned complete game victory on the mound, striking out nine and allowing only five hits. Channing, from his catcher's position, had two great pick-off plays including the final out.

Leading up to the championship game, the Black Sox won a tight defensive battle against tournament host Pinole and that team's powerful lineup.

Early in the game on a walk and an RBI single, Pinole grabbed a 1-0 lead, which they held until the fifth inning.

LeClair's left field throw to home stopped a Pinole base runner from scoring and set the stage for the Sox' aggressive defense game.

In the third, Pinole was in prime position for a score with a runner on third and no outs. But, defensive plays by Channing and Graham plus a key strikeout by Howard kept Pinole at bay, ending the inning scoreless.

Pinole's lead was doomed when Howard hammered a double to the fence with one out. Sam Dierking laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Howard to third, and Christopher hit a pop fly down the first base line, bringing him to third base and Howard across home plate to tie the game.

Powered by momentum, Carson Kvaternik delivered the game-winning RBI with a two-strike single over the shortstop, driving Christopher in.

Gymnastics day Gymnastics day (July 30, 2004)

The summer Olympics always sparks visions of tumbling and trampolines in everyone's heads. In conjunction with the Games in Athens and National Gymnastics Day on Saturday, Aug. 7, US Gymsports is holding an open house that day. Its parent booster club is hosting a free barbecue, plus there will be face-painting and exhibitions by all of the teams. There will also be 20-minute classes in gymnastics and cheerleading for youngsters to try out.

US Gymsports specializes in the training of athletes in gymnastics, national competitive all-star cheerleading, tumbling and trampoline.

"We started out doing cheerleading, then acquired the rest of building and turned it into gymnastics facility," said Henri Edland, owner along with Joanne Hathaway. "All of her kids were in competitive cheerleading and we thought we could do something better." The gym has trained the Amador Valley High cheerleaders, as well as area gymnastics teams.

US Gymsports is located at 1056 Serpentine Lane. Telephone 462-0871.

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