Big inning sends Madera National Little League to consolation bracket
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera National Little League 10-11-year-old All-Star team’s Isaiah Sanchez tosses a pitch during Tuesday’s loss to Reedley. Despite the loss, Sanchez was effective, tossing 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits with five strikeouts.
The Reedley 10-11-year-old All-Stars sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning to score 11 runs and cruised to a 15-9 victory over Madera Nationals in a District 10 loser’s bracket game.
Madera National, who lost to Selma in the opening round Sunday, defeated Sierra on Monday. However, the loss sends Madera National to the special consolation bracket Thursday.
Despite giving up 11 runs in the first inning, Madera National held tough and outscored Reedley 9-4 after the first.
Isaiah Sanchez kept Madera National within reach, allowing one run on two hits over the final 3 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three.
Madera National had nine hits, but committed four errors and left seven runners on base.
Jason Garcia led the offense with three hits, including a double. He also drove in three runs.
The first four batters of the bottom of the first inning reached base for Reedley. After a strikeout, the next nine batters reached base for an 11-run inning. Mason Kemmer got the final two outs of the inning for an early 11-0 lead.
Madera National responded in the next half inning.
Douglas Neal led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on wild pitches. Aiden Owens drew a walk and Garcia doubled home Neal. Braedin Hatfield singled to right-center to drive in Owens and an error allowed Garcia to score.
Bryson Saucedo singled to left and Ivan Flores grounded out to drive in another run.
After Isaiah Sanchez singled, Mason Kemmer grounded out to drive in Saucedo with the fifth run of the inning.
Reedley wasn’t done and after the first batter struck out, six straight batters reached base, highlighted by a two-run double for a 14-5 lead.
Sanchez came in relief and got a groundout to end the inning.
Madera National added another run in the third. After a groundout, Mason Roberts drew a walk, advanced to third on wild pitches and scored on Garcia’s single.
Meanwhile, Sanchez kept Reedley off the boards. He loaded the bases with two outs, but got a flyout to end the threat. He struck out the side in the fifth and allowed a lone run in the fifth.
Madera National tried to battle back with a run in the fifth. Neal led off with a walk, advanced to second on an error and scored on another run-scoring Garcia hit. However, with runners at second and third, the next three batters were retired.
With one last chance, Madera National battled in the sixth. Sanchez reached on a dropped third strike, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Ramon Ruiz single. Ruiz came in to score on a Neal single off the centerfield fence. However, the next two batters grounded out to end the game.
