Homers lead MNLL in District 10 semis
Madera National’s Michael Monreal drove in three runs, including the game-tying home run in a 5-4 semifinal victory over Selma on Wednesday. (Wendy Alexander)
Heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Madera National 11-12-year-old All-Stars faced a 4-3 deficit against Selma in the District 10 tournament semifinals.
However home runs from Michael Monreal and Charlie Monterrosa turned the deficit into a lead and Monterrosa closed the door in the sixth Wednesday night to give Madera National its fifth straight victory and a showdown with Madera American for the District 10 championship.
Monreal hit a pitch over the centerfield fence to tie the score. Two batters later, Monterrosa sent one to right-center for the lead.
Josh Castro tossed the first 4 1/3 innings and allowed four runs. Monreal struck out the final two batters in the fifth and got the first two batters in the second before Monterrosa came in. The first batter reached on an error, but Monterrosa struck out the next batter to get the save and Monreal earned the victory.
After its loss to Madera American on Tuesday, Selma tried to rebound against Madera National on Wednesday and started the scoring with three runs in the third inning.
Madera National came back with three runs of its own in the bottom half. Number 9 batter J.R. Garcia started the rally with a one-out triple. Spraggins drew a walk and Monreal followed with a two-run double. Monreal later came around to score on Monterossa’s single to tie the score.
Madera National had a chance to score in the fourth, but a double play got Selma out of the inning. Selma homered in the fifth to take a one-run lead before Madera National’s two big flies turned the tables.
