PV Major Stars

Penn Valley's major division All-Stars will test Bear River tonight at 7 p.m. in Area II tournament action. Shown front fom left are Travis Hansen, Trent Franks, Clay Coon, Ross Frank, Brandon Fouse, Beau Des Pois; middle row from left, Jakon Freele, Cayman Morgan, Rhys Lyckberg, Alex Voboril, Corey Cesak, John Swanton. Top from left, manager Greg Swanton, coach Jon Small, coach Kris Hansen.

July 10, 2008

Penn Valley Majors Oust Nevada City, 13-4; Face BR Tonight

In the lone District 11 tournament game that made it into the books Wednesday night, the Penn Valley major division All-Stars continued their sizzling play to earn a berth in the Area II championship game.

Teaming a strong mound effort from Travis Hansen with some timely hitting and fine defensive work, Penn Valley erupted for a 13-4 elimination game win over Nevada City on the hosts’ Pioneer Park diamond.

The Penn Valley-Nevada City major division tilt was the only District 11 tournament game to be played on Wednesday.

Elsewhere throughout the district, game sites at Rocklin, Tri-City, Lincoln and Penn Valley were postponed due to poor air quality caused by lingering smoke from fires that are burning in Northern California.

Penn Valley’s win – its third straight after suffering an opening round loss to Sierra Foothills – advances the team to this evening’s 7 p.m. championship game of Area II against undefeated Bear River.

Because Penn Valley already owns a loss in tourney play, PV would be forced to defeat Bear River twice to advance to the District 11 championship series. A second Area II title game “if  necessary” is slated for Friday night also at 7 p.m.

In Wednesday’s win, Hansen pitched into the fifth frame and kept Nevada City in check for most of the evening. Jakob Freele came on in the sixth inning to earn the save for PV.

Ross Frank had a big night at the plate for PV as he stroked two doubles in three at-bats and accounted for three RBIs.

Frank was also joined in the hit parade by Hansen’s 2x4 evening which accounted for two more RBIs.