Announcement
18AAA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMOS ARE CHAMPS FOR 2ND TIME
Chamos rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the top seeded Cardinals 5-4 in the 18AAA championship game at the Santaluces Complex in Lantana. For a while it looked like the Chamos were being hypnotized by Cardinals’ ace lefty Brian Holden, especially when they left the bases loaded in the fourth inning and trailed 4-0. The Cards had posted a pair of runs in the second on a two-run single by second sacker Emerys Powell, added another in the third on a double by Brian Firzsimmons and an RBI hit by Ryan Ghianda and a fourth run on Marlon Hernandez’ run scoring single in the fourth. All four of the runs came off Chamos’ starter, southpaw Yestin Polanco, who gave way at that point to reliever Carlos Dominguez.
After that, things started to go Chamos’ way. They again loaded the bases, this time with no outs in the fifth, and did cash in one run. Willie Martinez singled, Ricky Dominguez beat out a bunt single and skipper David Machado drew a walk. Geraldo Vasquez bounced into a force out at second, scoring Martinez. However, when Vasquez attempted a delayed steal of second base, Dominguez was nailed at third base and two batters later, the Cardinals shut the door. With Cardinals’ starter Brian Holden showing signs of tiring, Chamos cut the margin to 4-2 on a two out, RBI hit by Machado, scoring Martinez who had walked and stolen second.
It was in the 8th inning that the tide completely turned. Ray Infante led off the frame with a bunt single. Victor Prieto followed with a single, and Infante scored when Dominguez singled sharply past Holden into center field, with Dominguez taking second on the throw. With runners at second and third, the Cardinals opted to intentionally walk Marcos Rodriguez, but Gustavo Castillo foiled the strategy by banging a two run single to left to give Chamos their first lead. Holden struck out Harving Lejarazo, but Rodriguez stole third on the pitch. Martinez then ripped a shot to right center and Cardinals’ center fielder Max Johnson made a diving catch and threw to first, doubling off Castillo and keeping the Cardinals alive, especially when Billy Brescia hurled a scoreless 9th inning in relief of Holden.
Dominguez, though, dashed any Cardinals’ hopes, finishing with five scoreless innings and a victory. His stout pitching performance and two hits earned him championship game MVP honors. The championship was the second for Chamos, who captured the Fall 2007 title. The Cardinals are still seeking their first title, although the franchise, which started as the Rockets, morphing to Dodgers, then Cardinals, won both season titles in 2001 and an 18A championship in 1998 when the divisions were 18AA and 18A.
18AA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP BREWERS WIN FIRST TITLE, BLASTING INDIANS
The Genesis S Brewers brewed up some history when they slugged their way to a 16-3 over the top seeded and regular season champion Indians. It was the Brewers’ first league championship, although some of their players were with the Warriors when they won the crown in the spring 2008 season. It was also the biggest winning margin in a title game in recent years.
The Brewers got all they needed in the first inning when they parlayed two hits, four stolen bases, three Indians’ errors, two wild pitches and a passed ball into five runs. Moses Pichardo, with a fielder’s choice and Richie Mohammed, with a single, had the only two RBIs in the inning. The others scored on errors and a wild pitch. Anthony Gutilla singled, stole second and home, although Jason Hyman was thrown out at second on a double steal attempt, to make it 6-0.
They added three more in the fourth. Kevin Davis and Hyman had hits, Mickey Vancheri a sacrifice fly and David Lopez a two run single. They upped the margin to 9-0 in the fifth when they loaded the bases on a hit by Tony Amatucci, a walk to Angelo DePolo and Davis’ single. Gutilla drove in Amatucci, who scored on a fielder’s choice on a failed double play try. The onslaught continued against Reggie Atwell, who relieved starter Greg Walling in the sixth. Vancheri singled, Pichardo was hit by a pitch and Vancheri scored from second on a passed ball. Manager Shaun Gullet’s sacrifice fly plated another, before Amatucci walloped a long two run homer to left and it was 14-0 at that point.
The Brewers posted their final two runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Lopez and Gullett. Atwell, with a scoreless eighth inning and Marty Barnes with a shutout ninth finally stopped the Brewers. Luis Ramos was in total control on the mound throughout, firing zeros for the first seven innings until the Indians posted their only three runs in the 8th on singles by Leotis Johnson, Bobby Gilbert and Walling and three Brewers’ errors.
Ramos was selected as the championship game MVP. He also was MVP with the Warriors in the spring 2008 campaign.
