National 7-10s hold off American for all-star win
Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune
Madera National’s Josh Contreras slides under the tag of Madera American pitcher Chris Cappelluti to score a run in the third inning of Sunday’s victory.
FRESNO — The Madera National Little League 9-10-year-old All-Stars scored early and held off a late charge from Madera American for an 8-4 victory to open the District 10 tournament at River Park Little League.
Madera National scored the first eight runs of the game, but Madera American scored the final four runs and had runners on base to put the pressure on before a strikeout ended the game.
Jace Rios allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts to pick up the win for Madera National.
Madera National also took advantage of eight Madera American errors that led to five unearned runs.
Anthony Bursey and Ryan Atherton each had two hits to lead the Madera National offense. Atherton also scored two runs.
Jake Guerra, Sammy Molina and Isaiah Gill each had two hits for Madera National. Guerra also drove in a pair of runs.
Madera National got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Atherton singled to left. He went to second on an infield single by Rios. Aiden Juarez was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
A wild pitch scored Atherton and moved the other two runners a base for a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Jaydon Roman drew a walk. After a out, Roman stole second and third and then scored on a single by Bursey for a 2-0 lead.
In the third, Rios reached on an error. A single put runners at first and third. Josh Contreras reached on an error while Rios scored. Theran van Loon reached on an error to drive in Juarez while Contreras scored on a wild pitch for a 5-0 lead.
In the fourth, Aiden Moles led off the inning with a walk. He stole second and went to third on a single up the middle from Atherton. Joshua Sandoval reached on a fielder’s choice to drive in Moles.
After a popout, Sandoval scored on a groundout by Juarez to open an 8-0 lead.
Madera American finally got on the scoreboard with three runs in the fifth inning. Sammy Molina led off the inning with a single to left and went to second on an error. Gil followed with a single and Molina scored on an error.
After a strikeout, Deegan Shandor singled up the middle to put runners at second and third. Guerra singled to left to drive in Gil and Cappelutti reached on an infield single to drive in Shandor. A popout, change in pitchers and groundout ended the inning trailing 8-3.
Madera American put the pressure on in the sixth. Molina led off with a single to left. Pinch runner Benton Ellington went to second on a wild pitch, Gil drew a walk. After a strikeout, Shandor drew a walk to load the bases.
Guerra forced Gil at third while Ellington scored and Madera American had runners at first and second. However, Joshua Sandoval struck out the next batter to secure Madera National’s 8-4 victory.
