Definition of 'team'

The Orioles played three games in less than 24 hours Friday and Saturday, won all three and captured their third-straight Area 2 tournament championship. The Orioles did it as a team. On paper, the Orioles were not expected to do a whole lot this year, and it would have been understandable. Only five players returned from last year's league and Area 2 championship team and no one would be described as a "super star."

In this case, however, the whole was greater than the parts.

In all three games, San Mateo rallied from deficits. Against Palo Alto Friday night, San Mateo came back from scores of 3-0 after the top of the first inning and then scored three runs in the bottom of the 11th to win 13-12 and move into the championship series against Danville.

Many observers had all but handed the tournament title to Danville, which beat its first two opponents in the tournament by a combined score of 24-1. But the Hoots only beat San Mateo 7-3 in the first meeting between the two.

Having to beat the Hoots twice on Saturday, the Orioles first rallied from a 7-2 deficit in the first game before scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth and then came back from a first-inning 3-0 deficit to win the championship, 7-3.

"It feels good being down and coming from behind," said San Mateo outfielder Bobby Scott Saturday. Scott was battling nausea in the second game against Danville but stayed in the game to the end.

In each case, every player on the team had a hand in the victories. Every player in the starting lineup had at least one hit at one point during the three games, led by Jon Ponzo and Scott. In three games, Ponzo and Scott were a combined 17 for 26, with 13 runs driven in, a homer, three triples, a double and six runs scored.

But those numbers are the obvious ones. There was leadoff hitter Brandon Barron hitting the first home run of career in the first win over Danville, along with a triple, a double and five runs scored in the three games.

Even guys who did not fare as well overall, contributed at key times. Catcher Nick Monroe and shortstop Drew Pedersen combined to go 3 for 21 over the three games, but Monroe's infield hit in the second game against Danville drove in the Orioles' seventh run and Pedersen drove in a run to cut the Hoots' lead to 3-2. He later put down a sacrifice bunt during the Orioles' five-run fifth.

Then there was the pitching. Alex Augustyn, who started against Palo Alto, was knocked out after two innings of work, but relievers Vic Schramm and Steve Kalush pitched eight innings, giving up three runs - only one of which was earned.

Giorgio Lavezzo started the first game Saturday and despite a gritty outing, was tagged for seven runs on seven hits in four innings of work. Kalush and Eric Robinson, however, picked him up and shut the door the rest of the way, giving up only six hits over the final five innings.

In the winner-take-all finale, Matt Arbunich had the performance of a lifetime. He gave up three runs in the first inning and did not allow another over the next eight innings of work.

Then there is the bench. Led by Vic Schramm and Andy Fyfe, the Orioles ride the other team mercilessly throughout the game. They also have plenty of encouragement for their teammates - whether they're playing defense or at the plate.

"Every guy thinks the next guy is the best player on the team," said manager Mike Chanteloup on the camaraderie the team shares.

All weekend long, the Lounge heard comments from various San Mateo players saying this team was the most fun they've ever had playing. It's hard not to have fun when you play with a team where, if you fail, there is someone behind you to pick up the slack, doing whatever it takes for the good of the team.

Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.