Warriors blank Coyotes in Easter Classic
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera first baseman Benji Molina makes the tag on a Fresno baserunner down the line during Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors.
The annual Easter Classic is a showcase of some of the best baseball teams in the Central Valley and the Madera Coyotes not only showcased their own abilities, they faced some stiff competition.
One of the best in the tournament, the Fresno Warriors, traveled to Madera on Tuesday and came away with a 6-0 win over the Coyotes in Mel Parker Field.
The Coyotes couldn’t muster enough offense to overcome four errors on the night.
Coyotes starting Nathan Palacioz entered the game looking to recover some form for the Coyotes, who had dropped their prior game to Central 7-2 on Monday.
Izaak Murillo and David Monge led the way for the Coyote batters with two hits, but couldn’t find home plate as Madera was stymied on the base paths.
Palacioz handled the mound well, but a combination of errors and well-hit pitches sunk the Coyote right-hander.
In the top of the third, a bunt by the Warriors started a chain reaction that saw Fresno put three runners across. A fielding error allowed the Warriors cross the plate, before another fielding error on a fielder’s choice allowed one, then another run to cross the plate.
The Coyotes were pitching well and putting good swings on the ball early, but multiple errors in the inning flattened the Coyotes momentum.
Madera nearly responded in the bottom of the third as a Monge roped a doubled to the left-field wall. Murillo singled before Monge, but only advanced to third. The Coyotes later stranded the two runners.
Fresno High continued to pitch well, snuffing out any Coyote chance at a comeback.
The Warriors added three more runs in the top of the fifth.
