Young Stallions falter late to Tribe
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera South’s Seth Goodrich throws a pitch during a 9-2 loss to Chowchilla. Goodrich was good for five innings, allowing two baserunners. He faltered late, allowing two runs, one unearned, and three more in the seventh in the loss.
The Madera South Stallions took the early lead and held it until the sixth inning before the roof caved in during a 9-2 loss to the Chowchilla Tribe at Eddie Chapa Field.
The Stallions took the lead in third inning before Chowchilla scored two runs in the sixth. However, the Tribe scored seven runs on nine hits in the top of the seventh for the victory.
“We made huge strides from the first game,” head coach Alan Sandoval said. “It’s a progression with these young guys. The first game was bad. This game, we played well enough to win. Now, the next stage is to learn to finish. We have to break games open. We have to cash in with runners in scoring position and finish defensively and on the mound.”
A.J. Rocha and Bryan Malagon scored runs in the third inning to take the early lead.
Meanwhile, Seth Goodrich was pithing good enough before Chowchilla broke through in the top of the seventh.
Before the sixth, Goodrich allowed just two baserunners through the first five innings and allowed an unearned run in the sixth.
“I think we found our ace,” Sandoval said. “He threw phenomenal. It was his first time pitching since his sophomore year. He threw very little as a sophomore. He goes to the mound and thinks he’s the best pitcher in the Valley. He was successful today because he battles and doesn’t let anyone beat him. He threw strikes.”
However, Chowchilla hit four straight doubles to open the game in the seventh inning.
The Stallions broke through with two unearned runs in the third inning. No. 9 batter Bryan Malagon led off the inning with a walk. Brian Monges bunted Malagon to second.
Rocha singled up the middle to drive Malagon to third. After Rocha stole second, Chris Jones reached on an error while Malagon scored the first run of the game. Goodrich followed with a single to right to drive in Rocha for a 2-0 lead.
The Tribe was held scoreless until the sixth inning. A walk, hit batter, hit by pitch and a single followed by an error tied the score.
In the seventh, the Tribe sent 11 batters to the plate with five doubles and three singles against Goodrich and Gray to close out a 9-2 victory.
