Madera Babe Ruth advances to Regionals
For just the third time in the 65-year history of the Madera Babe Ruth league, an All-Star team has advanced to a regional tournament.
The Madera Babe Ruth 13-year-old All-Star team concluded an undefeated run at the state championship last week at Bakersfield’s Sam Lynn Ballpark complex to become the first team to advance to regionals since 2014.
The team begins play July 28 at the Pacific Southwest Regionals in Vernal, Utah, for a chance to advance to the Babe Ruth World series.
David Zavala was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Murf Gray, David Ramirez, Josh Castro and Charlie Monterrosa were also named to the All-Tournament team.
Gray went 10-for-15 (.667) in the tournament. Ramirez went 2-0 on the mound and was 5-for-10 at the plate with two home runs. Castro and Monterrosa each picked up wins on the mound.
Madera opened the tournament with an 8-2 victory over Northwest Bakersfield.
Ramirez picked up the victory on the mound and Michael Monreal earned the save.
Gray led the offense with two hits. Ramirez and Monreal each went 1-for-3.
Madera scored eight runs for the second game in a row for an 8-3 victory over Lompoc.
Castro earned the victory and Monreal got his second save of the tournament.
Ramirez highlighted the offense with two home runs. Gray went 3-for-4 and Castro was 2-for-4. In the third game, Madera defeated KerWest 5-1.
Monterrosa tossed a complete game two-hitter for the win. Zavala, Monterrosa and Gray each banged out two hits and Ramirez hit a home run.
Madera closed out the tournament with a dominant 16-5 victory over KerWest to claim the championship while outscoring the opposition 45-11 while batting .368 as a team.
Ramirez picked up the victory on the mound and Castro earned the save. Gray led the offense with three hits. Ivin Ponce and Isaiah Monge each had two hits for Madera.
Fundraisers
Madera Babe Ruth is hosting a number of fundraisers to send the team to Utah.
The first fundraiser was Tuesday with an exhibition game at Madera South’s Eddie Chapa Field against the Dirt Dogs 14-under team.
The team is also hosting a pasta dinner take-out today at St. Joachims School. The cost is $10 per plate. Pick-up is 5:15-7:15 p.m. The plates include pasta, salad, rolls and a cookie.
The team will also host a home run derby Thursday, also at Eddie Chapa Field. The cost is $20 per participant.
A yard sale at 18816 Farallon Road will take place Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon to help the team. There is also a GoFundMe page set up for the Madera Babe Ruth team. Donors can contribute at www.gofundme.com/maderababeruth13.
