March 30, 2009 (Reno, AP)---The Sparks Centennial Little League season kicked off Monday night at Golden Eagle, with the defending City Champion Yankees defeating the White Sox 12-0.

 

Starting pitcher Web Charles and relief pitchers Austin Beard and Cameron Beard combined for the one-hit shutout.  Yankees’ pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts and only one walk during the contest.

 

Grayson Young, Owen Bartlett, Austin Beard, and Web Charles had big RBI hits in the middle innings to build the Yankees a nice lead.  All Yankees contributed in the victory, including every batter making contact with the ball.

 

The defensive play of the game was on a wild pitch in the bottom of the second inning, when catcher Austin Beard retrieved the ball and fed a perfect strike to pitcher Web Charles, who applied the tag to the White Sox player attempting to score.

 

“This is a great way to start the season,” said coach Blaine Beard.  “Getting that first win out of the way and playing relaxed baseball heading into Saturday’s Red Sox game is a boost for our team.”

 

The Yankees will face the Red Sox Saturday (after the Opening Day ceremonies) at Shadow Mountain.  This game is a rematch of the 2008 Championship Game, which the Yankees won 5-4.  It should be a GOOD ONE!!!  

 

 

This year's 2009 Yankees team is packed FULL of potential...with six 12 year-olds, two 11 year-olds, and four 10 year-olds attempting to keep the Sparks Little League City Championship trophy where it belongs...RIGHT HERE!

 

Here is a quick look at our roster:

Owen Bartlett---2008 Sparks City Champion Majors (Yankees) / former Wingfield Red Sox traveling team member

Austin Beard---2008 Sparks City Champion Majors (Yankess) / 2007 Sparks City Champion Minors (A's) / current Velocity traveling team member / Centennial All-Star

Cameron Beard---2007 Sparks City Champion Minors (A's) / current Dust Devils traveling team member / Centennial All-Star

Brendan Cancino---SYFL Reed football stand-out and SYFL All-Star / Centennial All-Star (Renegade)

Web Charles---2008 Sparks City Champion Majors (Yankees) / current Outlaws traveling team member / Centennial All-Star

Riley Coyne---2008 Sparks City Champion Minors (Twins)

Cameron Espinosa---2008 Sparks City Champion Majors (Yankees) / 2007 Sparks City Champion Minors (A's) / current Velocity traveling team member / Centennial All-Star

Zachary Hix---SYFL Reed football stand-out  and SYFL All-Star

Jason Johnson---2008 Sparks City Champion Minors (Twins)

Brendan Parisotto---current Velocity traveling team member / Centennial All-Star

Jonathan Pinto---Future Dust Devils traveling team member (hopefully) / Centennial All-Star

Grayson Young---2008 Sparks City Champion Majors (Yankees) / Centennial All-Star (Hooligans) / SYFL All-Star

 

As you can see...our team is a very experienced collection of players.  Several of our players have also been to City Championship games and wound up on the short end of the scoreboard.  All-in-all, these experiences have prepared our players for a very competetive and action-packed season.