THE BENICIA Little League 10-11 all-star team, managed by Josh Gibbons (left), opens District 53 play on Saturday against St. Helena in Fairfield.

Benicia Little League’s 10-11 all-star team makes its debut at the District 53 Tournament in Fairfield this Saturday afternoon.

Benicia’s 10/11s have a solid pedigree. More than half the roster is made up of players from last year’s 9/10 all-star team – a squad that made it to the District 53 championship game and won more games overall than Benicia’s 10/11, 11/12, Senior and Big League all-star teams combined.

“We’re looking forward to it this year because we have a good squad,” said 10/11 manager Josh Gibbons.

T.J. Peters, one of seven veterans from last year’s 9/10 all-star team, anchors a pitching staff that also features veterans Patrick Fernandez and Vaughn Goshert. Peters will likely get the start Saturday against St. Helena, but Fernandez and Goshert are more than capable of handling all-star pressure on the mound.

“There’s a lot riding on our top three pitchers,” Gibbons said. “They’re really about the same speed-wise and can all hit their locations. They’re all very consistent. We should do well with them.”

Benicia’s strength is in the outfield where Kevwe Ojo, Ryan Malte and Kelly Harms have the speed to track down fly balls. Malte will likely bat leadoff while Ojo is a No. 3 or No. 4 hitter with power.

Peters will play shortstop or catcher when he’s not pitching and will hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup. Fernandez, who finished tied for fourth in over-the-fence home runs during the Majors regular season, will likely bat second behind Malte and will see lots of time at third base.

“Ryan is a great leadoff hitter who rarely strikes out and Patrick hits with a lot of power,” Gibbons said. “Kevwe and T.J. are just solid power hitters. We’ve got a really strong outfield and a lot of speed. We’re going to be really, really fast so we’ll be very aggressive on the bases.”

Diego Menjivar has home-run power and Goshert is a solid first baseman and backup shortstop. Other players expected to contribute for Benicia’s 10/11s are veterans Gage Gibbons and Logan Lee, and all-star newcomers Harrison Hubbard, Dominic Caldo, Cormac O’Connell and Noah Peterson.

“They can all hit and I think we’re really solid defensively,” coach Gibbons said.

Staying in the winner’s bracket is always key in all-star tournaments. If Benicia can beat St. Helena on Saturday and win again on Sunday, the team would be only one victory away from a berth in the championship round.

“There’s gonna be tough competition and every team will have solid players, but we should make a good run at it this year,” Gibbons said.

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