Madera National uses late surge for win
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera National’s Eric Nelson dives or the plate while Madera American catcher Malachi Watson looks for bal during Wednesday’s victory.
The Madera National Little League 10-11-year-old All Stars pushed nine runs across in the final inning to outlast the Madera American Little League All Stars 17-8.
Ivan Flores, Joshua McKeever, Brenton Bohm, Elias Sablan and Jayden Chavira all collected more than a hit for Madera National on Wednesday.
Madera American got off to a slow start, but rebounded with a seven-run fourth inning. Errors might’ve been the spark to ignite their comeback, however Malachi Watson and David Moles combined for five hits and four runs.
The game opened with both teams scored in the first inning.
Madera National’s Flores and McKeever reached base to open the game with a hit and walk. Although Sablan drove them in with a single, Madera American got out of the inning without further damage.
Madera American countered with Watson, who doubled to open the bottom of the first, and was followed by Moles’ RBI single.
In the fourth inning, the game was turned on its head after both teams combined for 13 runs.
Madera National started the hit parade with a single by McKeever, who later came to score after a hit by Bohm a batter later. An error attempting to throw out Sablan continued the inning, allowing back-to-back singles to Chavira and Blake Burton.
Both runners eventually scored after they each stole a base for an 8-1 lead after a six-run inning. Watson and Moles powered the American squad with back-to-back hits. Watson doubled and a Moles singled him home.
Madera National had the inning in their control, but five errors i allowed five more runs to cross for Madera American, including Jordan Galindo, Ethan Hagopian and Miguel Cardona.
Both teams headed into the fifth inning tied at eight.
The game came down to the sixth inning and Madera National made a point to prove its effort was enough to win it.
In the top of the sixth inning, Madera National laid it all on the line. Eight of their first nine batters all reached base. Six singles and three doubles put the game out of reach for the Madera American team.
Dominic Guillen was the first Madera National player to reach base in the sixth inning. Although he was later tagged out on base, his hit sparked a run. Flores followed with a single and came home on a double by McKeever. Ruben Garcia singled after McKeever, later stole second base to give Madera National runners in scoring position.
Back-to-back singles by Bohm and Sablan brought both Garcia and McKeever home. Madera National had five runs come across in the inning and still had more left in the tank. Chavira doubled home both runners to increase the run to seven.
Burton pushed the runner over with a groundout, setting up consecutive singles by Guillen and Eric Nelson to make it eight in the inning and 16 runs for the game.
McKeever later brought the final run in with a fielder’s choice.
Eight of the15 Madera National hits came in the final inning. Madera American 10, Sunnyside 7
In order for Madera American to play Madera National on Wednesday, they had to get by Sunnyside-Lone Star Little League-Fresno on Tuesday.
Madera American did just enough to get by Sunnyside, 10-7. Madera American scored nine runs in the first three innings and had to hold off a late Sunnyside charge to get the win.
Five Madera American pitchers combined to get the win. Jordan Galindo got the win in 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Harnoor Hans got the final out of the game after Sunnyside scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Moles led the offense with four hits and five RBIs. He also scored two runs and hit a two-run home run. Ethan Hagopian had two hits and drove in two runs. Jordan Galindo also had two hits and Watson scored three runs.
