Madera Americans 11’s open with split
Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune Madera American manager B.J. Galindo congratulates Brendan Gustafson for his two-run home run Saturday.
The Madera American Little League 10-11-year-old All-Star team opened the District 10 tournament with a mercy-rule victory over Chowchilla.
However, Madera American couldn’t close out Reedley, allowing six runs over the last three innings in a 10-5 loss Sunday.
The loss sent Madera American into a loser’s bracket game Tuesday against Sunnyside-Fresno. Madera American 15, Chowchilla 0
REEDLEY — The Madera American All-Stars took advantage of nine Chowchilla walks to score 13 runs in the final two innings to record a mercy-rule victory to open the District 10 tournament.
Madera American starter Harnoor Hans was efficient on the mound. He allowed one runner (a hit) to reach base and tossed just 39 pitches with three strikeouts.
Madera American got the scoring started in the top of the first inning. David Moles drew a walk and Joel Arellano singled Moles home. Arellano came home on a wild pitch to Miguel Cardona, who was later hit by a pitch.
Madera American then sent 12 batters to the plate in the third inning while scoring seven runs. Arellano walked, Brendan Gustafson singled and Noel Galindo walked to load the bases. Harnoor Hans drew another walk to force in Arellano. Jordan Galindo drew another walk to drive in Gustafson.
Alex Cortez forced Galindo at second, but Noel Galindo came in to score. Raymond Urano followed with a double down the left field line to drive in Cortez.
Moles drew a walk and Malachi Watson singled home Urbano. Arellano walked to load the bases and Gustafson doubled to left-center to drive in Moles and Watson for a 9-0 lead.
Madera American sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth. With one out, Galindo singled up the middle. After a pop out, Justin Palacios reached on an dropped third strike. Moles was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Watson tripled to right-center to clear the bases. Watson scored on a passed ball. Arellano followed with a single. On the next pitch, Gustafson sent a ball over the centerfield fence for a two-run home run and a 15-0 victory. Reedley 10, Madera American 5
Reedley opened the game with two runs in the top of the first. But, Madera American got things started on the right foot with three runs in the first inning.
Watson led off with a single. Moles and Arellano doubled home a run. After a strikeout, Miguel Cardona was hit by a pitch. Justin Palacios singled home Moles and Arellano for a 3-2 lead.
Madera American added two more runs in the second. Urbano walked and Moles singled. Arellano singled home a run and Gustafson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Reedley cut the lead to one with two runs in the third. However, Reedley closed the game with eight unanswered runs, including three in the fifth for the 10-5 victory.
