CREW GOES 5-0

The Sonora-based California Crew fastpitch team swung some hot bats while going 5-0 during the weekend in North Pacific Region Travel League action at Eproson Field in Twain Harte and at Standard Park.

Shortstop Mike Abernathy hit four home runs, including two in an 11-6 victory over the Bay Area Contractors of Hayward on Saturday at Eproson, as the Crew improved to 14-3-1 on the season.

Abernathy also homered in Saturday victories of 8-3 over the River City Rockers of Sacramento and 5-2 over Gaines Liquors of Stockton, both at Eproson.

Yesterday at Standard, he homered and tripled in a 15-3 romp past Country Club Villa of San Jose. Outfielder Nate Devine tripled twice and first baseman-catcher Greg Rogers also tripled against Country Club. Abernathy, Devine and Rogers hit consecutive three-baggers in a 10-run first inning, and Zack Abernathy added an inside-the-park homer.

In the Crew's finale, second baseman Mike Butler hit two home runs — one a mammoth shot over a towering oak tree behind the left-field fence on Field 4 — in an 11-2 victory over Bay Area High Reach of Hayward.

Keith Frey pitched a complete game against River City and saved the victories over the Contractors and Gaines, then got the victory against High Reach. Ed Gaspar was the winning pitcher against the Contractors and Country Club Villa, while Jon Abernathy got the victory against Gaines.

The Crew is tentatively scheduled to play a six-team, round-robin event in Tuolumne County on Aug. 2 and 3 and make an appearance in the Stockton Tournament of Champions the following weekend before heading for the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) "AA" Nationals the weekend of Aug. 16 and 17 in Eau Claire, Wis.

The Crew also will compete in the NAFA "AAA" Nationals in Eau Claire immediately after the "AA" tournament.