Los Gatos shuts down Capuchino

Unfortunately for Capuchino, the Mustangs' offense disappeared. After winning 19 games this season by getting clutch hits, the Mustangs bats fell silent as they were limited to just one hit by the pitching combination of Ryan Kiel and Kyle Blair. The Wildcats move into the championship game Saturday against Monterey with a 1-0 win.

"Things didn't go our way," said Capuchino catcher Edgar Hernandez. "We thought we'd pull it out. That's been us all year. We didn't worry all game long. We didn't help Jesse out."

To make the loss even more frustrating was the way Los Gatos scored the game's only run in the third inning. In a sudden bout of wildness, Orozco gave up a single and two walks to load the bases with no outs. He got a strikeout for the first out but Mike Brianzo coaxed a walk to drive in the only run.

"Both teams pitched well," said Capuchino manager Matt Wilson. "We just didn't hit."

Capuchino (19-7) had its chances. Despite the one hit - a single from Joe Dieterle leading off the game - the Mustangs managed five walks and a hit batter. They had runners in scoring position in the first, fourth and sixth innings, but could not get that one hit to bring a run home. Capuchino loaded the bases in the first with two outs but could not push a run across.

Orozco, meanwhile, dominated the Los Gatos hitters. He gave up a leadoff double in the first but retired the next three batters. He allowed another hit in that fateful third and Derek Thomas legged out an infield hit in the fourth before the next three Wildcat hitters went quietly.

"We knew Orozco was very good," said Los Gatos manager Brad Sanfilippo. "He's a great pitcher. We had to do our best to put something together. Credit to our guys for finding a way to get it done."

Los Gatos used two outstanding defensive plays to thwart a couple of Capuchino rallies. In the fourth with runners on first and second and two outs, Blake Interdonato hit a high popup behind first base. Los Gatos' Thomas backpedaled and settled under the ball before slipping. Lying on his back, Thomas caught the ball but it popped out of his glove. Before the ball could hit the ground, however, he snagged it inches above the grass for the final out.

In the seventh, Interdonato was denied again. On a 0-1 pitch, he hit what appeared to be a sure single that was destined for center field. But Los Gatos shortstop Justin Schafer made a diving snare behind the bag at second, scrambled to his feet and threw Interdonato out by a step.

"We could have gotten something going in the seventh but that shortstop made a great play," Wilson said. "It was a web gem."

Despite the loss, Wilson was pleased with the way his team battled all game and all season.

"We made a commitment to get back to CCS," Wilson said. "I'm very proud of this team. They battled every game all year. This game could have gone either way."

Added Hernandez: "No one expected us to go this far."