Madera National heads to title game

After recording a pair of wins to open the District 10-12-year-old All-Star Tournament, Madera National needed a six-run fifth inning for a victory over Reedley to advance to the championship game.

Both teams scored three runs in the first and another in the second. Reedley opened the lead to 6-4 before Madera National sent eight batters to the plate to score six runs for a 10-6 victory and advanced to Thursday’s championship game. They faced Reedley, again, who advanced after a 15-1 win over Selma.

Madera National had the upper hand and only needed one win in two tries for the championship in the double elimination tournament.

The first three Reedley hitters reached base and scored to put Madera National into an early deficit.

Madera National’s Josh McKeever led off the bottom of the first with a single. Isaiah Sanchez drew a walk. After a flyout, Brenton Bohm doubled home McKeever and Sanchez. After a groundout, Trevor Teran doubled home Bohm to tie the score.

Reedley came back with a lead-off walk and a triple by the No. 9 batter to break the tie. However, Reedley tried to score on a groundout and was thrown out.

Mark Huarte led off the second with a single and went to second on a walk to Mason Roberts. McKeever singled up the middle, but Huarte was thrown out at the plate.

Sanchez was hit by a pitch, but Joel Arellano flied out to center and Roberts scored the tying run.

Reedley scored a run in the fourth on a double and a single. An error, two walks and a single gave Reedley a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Sanchez led off the fifth with a single and Arellano walked. Bohm, Jaydian Chavira, Teran and Blake Burton followed with RBI singles. After a strikeout, Eli Sablan singled home another run. McKeever ended the rally with another single for a 10-6 lead.

Bohm closed out the game with a strikeout, groundout and flyout for the victory.