RED SOX OR ATHLETICS

The Caribbean Tigres won the 18AAA title for the 8th time—their third in succession—by beating the Home Run Sports Dodgers at the Lantana Sports Complex.  After spotting a run in the second inning, they tied it in the third and broke it open with a 4-run fourth. Marlon Hernandez singled to put the Tigres ahead 2-1, followed by a bases loaded triple by Juan Veras to make it 5-1 and the Tigres coasted from there. Brian Fitzsimmons homered to lead off the fourth for the Dodgers, but the Tigres put it away with six more runs, all off reliever Brian Holden. Starting and losing pitcher Mike Draper gave up five runs in his five innings of work.  Jose Acuna went the first six for the win, with Wilson Ciprian, Alexis Sosa and Gustavo Lopez pitching one inning apiece. Rafael Rodriguez, Geraldo Vasquez (double) and Acuna (RBI) led the Tigres with three hits apiece.  Jose Espino had a double and single, driving in two runs and Veras, selected as the game’s MVP, drove in four with a sacrifice fly and the three-run triple. Emilio Vargas had two hits.  Andres Rodriguez banged out a two bagger.  Melvin Bruno, Hernandez (RBI), and Stalin DeLaRosa (RBI) had one hit apiece.  Jared Cohen had two hits and an RBI for the Dodgers.  Ryan MacDonald singled in a run, and Fitzsimmons socked a HR and drew two walks.  Billy Brescia also had a single. In addition to the eight league titles, the Tigres have won three Citrus Classics, and adding some of the Dodgers’ team, have won national tournaments in both Arizona and Florida.

Veteran Jose Pena has been the "face" and the "arm" of the Dobson Roofing Hurricanes for years and he pitched them to another league championship in the 18AA league windup.  The Hurricanes dispatched the upstart Brewers in a methodical 8-1 win over the Brew Crew at the Lantana Sports Complex.  Pena went the route, striking out six and giving up only one run.  He had plenty of offensive and defensive support from his teammates.  Craig Spatara and Guy Bichacho both homered and Bichacho added a triple and an RBI single.  Playing manager John Dobson had two hits and scored three runs.  Brian Schwal had an RBI double.  Chuck Tooch also doubled, and Carlos Sanchez, Willie Gomez and Eddie Gonzalez added singles.  The Canes also played flawlessly on defense.  The only Brewers run scored in the fourth inning when Ryan Dolan led off the inning with a triple and scored on an infield roller by Marcelo Vila.  Don Hennessy doubled and singled for the Brew Crew.  Joe Mazzeo, Eddie Vasquez and Ron Fernandez chipped in one single apiece.  The Hurricanes took advantage of defensive lapses by the Brewers, scoring four unearned runs in the first two innings off starter and loser Anthony Batton.  Pena was selected as the game's Most Valuable Player.  The Hurricanes previously won the 2003 and 2006 spring titles.  The Brewers became the Cinderella team in the 18AA league, downing the Rangers and the Cuban Sugar Kings in the playoffs to make their first appearance in the league championship game.