MALL 12s head back to title game

FRESNO — Madera American Little League 11-12-year-old All-Star coach Mike Molina hasn’t had a good track record at River Park.

If Molina and his team wants to repeat as the District 10 champions, Madera American needed to defeat River Park twice this week, just four days after they were pummeled 24-4 in the semifinals. In his last four games at River Park, Molina’s teams have lost all of them by a combined 64-18 (16-4 average victory).

After Thursday’s loss to River Park, Madera American came back with a 10-0 victory over Reedley to set up Monday’s District 10 championship game with River Park. River Park is averaging 21 runs in its three wins.

Things were looking bright early for Madera American on Thursday against River Park.

Benji Molina homered to deep left-centerfield to give Madera American an early 1-0 lead.

River Park answered with a solo home run to the same place Molina hit his to tie the score in the first.

River Park then sent 13 runners to the plate in the second inning to score 11 runs on nine hits, including a two run home run.

Madera American answered with three runs in the third inning. With two outs, Rafael Velasco reached on an error. Molina reached on another error and Arias walked to load the bases.

Jasir Alvarez walked to force in Velasco and Malagan singled up the middle to drive in Molina. Two batters later, Jair Alvarez reached on an error and Arias came in to score to cut the lead to 12-4.

River Park came back to send 16 batters to the plate in the third inning to score 12 runs, which was highlighted by a grand slam and a three-run home run for the 24-4 victory. Madera American 10, Reedley 0

Madera American bounced back to get back into the District 10 championship game with a 10-0 victory Friday over Reedley.

Madera American scored five runs in the top of the first inning and cruised to the victory.

Molina picked up the victory with a one-hitter through four innings. He allowed just two baserunners and struck out five batters. Bryan Malagon closed out the game with a groundout.

Molina started the first inning rally with a single. Arias followed with another single and Jasir Alvarez walked to load the bases.

Malagon singled home Molina and Arias. Jair forced Malagon at second, but Velasco followed with a three-run home run for the 5-0 lead.

In the second, Aiden Sua singled, Molina singled and Malagon drove in Sua with a single.

Madera American added two more runs in the third. Velasco hit his second home run of the game. Matthew Del Toro reached on an error and sored on a single by Molina.

David Turner opened the fourth inning with a single and Malagon followed with a two-run home run for the 10-0 four inning victory because of the mercy-rule.