17-Expos

CHAMOS ARE CHAMPS AGAIN

When their opponents make mistakes, good teams pounce on them. That’s what happened in the 18AAA title game at Santaluces Sunday, August 29. The Miller Lite Chamos scored four unearned runs in the last two innings to turn back the regular season champion, top seeded South Florida Thunder 6-2. 

With the score tied at 2-2 in the top of the 8th and after a short rain delay, second baseman Carlos Dominguez reached safely on an overthrow by third baseman Eric Morales. Shadi Disla laid down a sacrifice bunt and pitcher Manny Olivera fired it over the head of first baseman Billy Brescia, putting two runners on. Catcher Harving Lejarazo blooped a single to right to score Dominguez, and second baseman Louie Napoleon’s relay went past third to score Disla. Manager Dave Machado’s suicide squeeze scored courtesy runner Willie Martinez.

Chamos got it’s final run in the 9th. A throwing error by Morales allowed Victor Prieto to reach second base. Carlos Pupo’s single scored Prieto to make it 6-2. Chamos took a 1-0 lead in the first when Santos Adames drew a walk, went to third on Prieto’s single and scored on a wild pitch by Manny Olivera.

The Thunder tied it on Rob Wiley’s bases loaded sacrifice fly, scoring Max Johnson, who had opened the inning with a single. A sacrifice fly by Willie Martinez with the bases full in the fourth inning had scored Prieto to make it 2-1 in favor of Chamos. The Thunder came right back in the bottom of the inning with an unearned run off Chamos’ starter Ronal (Cuba) Diaz. After Wiley reached on an error by second baseman Dominguez to load ’em up, Chamos failed to turn a double play on a grounder to short by Ryan McDonald, scoring Morales who has singled, followed by a single by Donnie Fitzgerald.

Prieto, who pitched hitless ball with four strikeouts over the last 2 2/3 innings to get the victory, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. He was a major part of the offense as well, getting two hits and scoring twice. The loss went to Olivera who left with a run in and two men on in the 9th in fsvor of Chasse, who got the last three outs, two on a double play line drive to third base and throw to second. Prieto, Eric Sabido and Lejarazo all had two hits each and Pupo had one. Johnson had two of the Thunder’s seven hits. Wiley had a double, with Brescia, Brian Fitzsimmons, Donnie Fitzgerald and Morales all getting singles.

It was the fourth 18AAA championship and second straight for Chamos, whose roster is loaded with players of Venezuelan descent.  

FIRST YEAR BLADES TAKE AA TITLE MARATHON OVER SUGAR KINGS

The scene could have been a Cuban League game in Havana. In the wildest, longest and noisiest championship game in the league’s 19-year history, the first year Blades Barber Shop outlasted the two time league champion Sugar Kings in 13 innings in a four hour, five minute marathon.

Some of the Blades’ players had formerly played with the Sugar Kings and clearly there was some animosity between the two. There was some taunting, trash talking and finger pointing by some of the players. Yet the Cuban and Latin music from the sound system set up by the teams, and a thunderstorm that enveloped the ball fields, yet never arrived, created a festive atmosphere. . In addition to the driving, pulsating music, the constant clanging of cowbells and blaring of air horns, banging and stomping on the steel stands created a cacaphony pierced the quietitude of most Sunday mornings in Lantana.

Despite the din, it turned out to be quite a ball game. With the contest tied at 12-12, the Blades finally won it by collecting three runs in the top of the 13th inning. Run scoring singles by Yasmany Gimenez and player-manager Yordany Martinez, and Jesus Ferrer’s third sacrifice fly of the game finally won it for the Blades against their archrivals. It shouldn’t have gone that far.

The Blades led 12-7 going to the 8th inning, but the Sugar Kings scored three times off reliever Angel Gonzalez on Jordan Gazquez’ two run double and a single by catcher Joe Perez, then tied it in the 9th. Nestor Sanjurjo, playing essentially on one leg, the result of an ankle injury during a rundown, bounced a two run single off Blades’ closer Mario Perez, one of his five hits, to send the game into extra innings.

The Sugar Kings got three in the first on an RBI hit by Sanjurjo and a two-run triple by Yandri Cabrera. The Blades tied it in the third on Gonzalez’ two run triple and a single by Mario Perez. In the bottom of the third, Cabrera doubled in two more, only to have the Blades tie it on a two run blast to left by Yosdel Rodriguez. The Blades took a 6-5 lead in the next inning on sacrifice fly by Ferrer, but the Sugar Kings regained the lead at 7-6 on a double by pinch hitter Junior Gazquez.

The Blades scored five in the 7th to on a 2-run double by Rodriguez, two run single by Martinez and another sac.fly by Ferrer. They added one more in the 8th. Rodriguez’ three hits, four RBIs earned him the game’s MVP award. Sanjurjo led all hitters with five hits, three RBIs. Mario Perez, got the win over Luis Santana Jr, both in relief. Perez pitched five, Santana Jr. went six and one third.  

 

 

 

Four Nationals pitchers combined for a one-hitter, facing only 25 batters in eight innings, one over the mininum, to score a 7-0 shut out of the Americans in the 18AAA All Star game at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. The game was called after eight innings when a sudden, torrential rain storm swept in from the East. The Americans' only hit, a clean single to left by Vinnie Intagliata off Danny LaPerna in the second, spoiled a no-hit bid by LaPerna (Thunder), Tony Amatucci (Brewers) and Josh Daws and Mike Jordan (both South Florida Beach Bums). LaPerna struck out five of the ten batters he faced in three innings to gain the win. Amatucci set the Americans down in order in both of his innings. Daws fanned four of the six batters he faced in his two innings of work, and Jordan notched one strikeout in his one inning on the mound. After Intagliata's single, the Nationals' hurlers set down 19 batters in a row, winding up with ten strikeouts.

LaPerna, who was selected as the game's MVP, not only set the tone of the game on the mound, but collected two hits, including an RBI double. Ricky Dominguez (Wellington Twins) also had two hits and drove in two runs. Jimmy Efre (Thunder) had a single and stole three bases. Clayton Joiner (Beach Bums) doubled to left to highlight a four run sixth inning. Eddie Vazquez (Twins), Amatucci, Daws and Jordan also collected a hit each, and Dave Salley (Beach Bums) added a sacrifice fly. Vasquez drove in a run with an infield out. The Americans used five pitchers---Rob Ellsmiller and Rick Schnur, both from the Leones, Mark McElmeel (Royals), Drew Davis (White Sox) and Victor Prieto (Chamos). Ellsmiller took the loss, giving up only an unearned run in the second. He struck out Max Johnson (Thunder), but a passed ball allowed Johnson to reach first. He stole second, went to third on an infield out and scored on Vasquez' roller to first.

NATIONALS RALLY TO BEAT AMERICANS IN AA GAME

The National All Star team comprised of players from the Pirates, Team Akadema, Braves, Dodgers and Marlins spotted the Americans two runs before rallying to win 4-2 at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach Wednesday night. Emilio Vargas (Pirates) singled home the first run for the Nationals in the fifth inning after walks to Troy Sorrells and Rick Mullan (both from the Dodgers).

After a double play appeared to have stopped the Nationals, Vargas got his team's first hit to score the run. The Nationals rallied for two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. An infield error allowed Mike Farrell (Pirates) to score the tying run, after he led off the inning with a walk and a steal of second base. David Lopez (Akadema) scored what proved to be the deciding run when he reached on the error, moved up on a single by Trent Phipps (Akadema) and an RBI hit by Kelvin Jimenez, also of Team Akadema. They added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th on a single by the Marlins' lone representative, Domenick DeSantis, a force out and two wild pitches.

The American squad, made up of players from the league runnerup Glory Days, Sugar Kings, Orioles, Blades and Tigers scored an unearned run in the second inning when Joe Perez (Sugar Kings) reached second base on an infield throwing error, stole second and third. They added another run in the fourth on an RBI hit by Philippe Costa (Orioles) scoring Nestor Sanjurjo (Sugar Kings), who singled and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.

They missed a chance to score a third run in the fifth when Michael Espinosa (Tigers) was thrown out at the plate on a single by Chris Snow (Orioles). The throw from the outfield, which would have been off target, hit Espinosa and caromed to Pirates pitcher Damon Gammons, who tagged a surprised Espinosa out after backing up the errant throw at the plate. Will Ford (Braves) got the win in relief with two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a base hit of his own. He was chosen as the game's Most Valuable Player, and will receive an NABA All Star MVP plaque. The loss went to Glory Days' infielder Brian Barnes, who was pressed into service on the mound because of a lack of pitching by the Americans. Both runs allowed by Barnes were unearned. Sorrells was brilliant in relief, striking out four in two hitless innings to earn the save.

 

Roger Dean Stadium will provide FOUR (4) TICKETS to a Florida State League game to all Players and Pitchers of the Week. The awards will be mailed to the team managers or handed out personally from week to week. Fall League Players and Pitchers of the Week may also use their awards (two rickets) for Jupiter Hammerheads or Palm Beach Cardinals games at Roger Dean through the end of the season in late August.  .  

ROGER DEAN STADIUM PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE WEEK AWARDS - SPR 2010

WEEK OF AUGUST 1, 2010

ROGER DEAN STADIUM 18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK BILLY BRESCIA (THUNDER) Four hits, (double) as Thunder clinches first place

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK PAUL CHASSE (THUNDER) Shuts down Leones (no runs, two hits) over 6 innings for win  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK ANTHONY PALMER (DODGERS) Two run single, his 2nd hit, gives Dodgers a 9-9 tie vs. Bucs

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK ANGEL GONZALEZ (BLADES) Complete game win (8K) in Blades’ 8th straight win

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WEEK OF JULY 25, 2010

TWO AAA PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE WEEK AWARDS THIS WEEK

Due to the limited schedule last week, there were no Player or Pitcher of the Week awards. To make up for it, there are four AAA awards this week.

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK SHADI DISLA (CHAMOS) Three hits, game winner as Chamos tops Thunder 18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK RICK SCHNUR (LEONES) Pitching win, plus double, single and two RBIs 

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK EDDIE VAZQUEZ (TWINS) Skipper collects six hits, knocks in three in twinbill

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK ANGEL GARCIA (TWINS) Spins comple game win with eight Ks against Brewers

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK RANDY VAN HORNE (DODGERS) 2-run homer, two doubles, single (4 for 4 ) against Glory Days

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK CLARK HISH (ORIOLES) Stars on mound, two RBI hits, scores game winning run  

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WEEK OF JULY 18, 2010 18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK NO AWARD, LIMITED SCHEDULE

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK NO AWARD, LIMITED SCHEDULE  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK GREG KOUTSIS (MARLINS) Cranks out three doubles, drives in two in Marlins’ win

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JOHN DENSKI (MARLINS) Goes the route with 5 hitter. eight strikeouts for team’s first win  

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WEEK OF JULY 11, 2010

 

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK RYAN McDONALD (THUNDER) Double, two singles, including game winning two run base hit

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK DANNY LA PERNA (THUNDER) Six shutout innings (9Ks), only one hit to earn victory in relief  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK TROY GLOVER (G.DAYS) “Hulk” goes 4-for-4 with two doubles, two singles, four RBIs

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JESSIE RUSSIANOFF (G.DAYS) Four shutout innings, one hit and seven Ks gets relief win

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WEEK OF JUNE 27, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK WILLIE MARTINEZ (CHAMOS) Collects three hits and knocks in three runs in Chamos’ shutout

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK ORIONNY LOPEZ (WHITE SOX) Whiffs ten in shutting out Brewers for third win

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK YOSVANI GARCIA BLADES) Five hits, including two triples, and five runs batted in

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JESUS FERRER (BLADES) Wins both ends of doubleheader against the Tigers  

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 WEEK OF JUNE 20, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK ROB WILEY (THUNDER) Raps out four singles as Thunder tops Twins 11-2 at West Boynton Park

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK VICTOR PRIETO (CHAMOS) Fans eleven in six innings and aids own cause with three hits, including a double, and an RBI  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK CARLOS JIMENEZ (BLADES) Blades’ All Star shortstop drives in two runs to lead his team to win over Akadema

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK MATT WEIHS (PIRATES) Fires two hit shutout with twelve strikeouts to push league best record to 5-0  

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WEEK OF JUNE 13, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK DREW DAVIS (WHITE SOX) Collects four hits as White Sox outlast Beach Bums 10-6

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK MANNY OLIVERA (THUNDER) Thunder southpaw beats the heat and the Brewers for his third win of the season  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK FRANK VAZQUEZ (DODGERS) Frank hammers out a perfect day at the plate, going 4 for 4 against the Sugar Kings

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JEB BENNETT (SUGAR KINGS) Fine job in relief, and belts a two run inside the park homer in Kings’ win over the Dodgers  

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WEEK OF JUNE 6, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK MAX JOHNSON (THUNDER) Four hits, three RBIs in Thunder’s doubleheader split with the Royals

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JONATHAN MARTINEZ (CHAMOS) Eight sparkling innings, one earned run notches his third victory of the season  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK WILL FORD (BRAVES) Raps out four hits and knocks in four runs in Braves’ rout of Tigers

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK TROY SORRELLS (DODGERS) Twirls a five hitter and chalks up nine strikeouts in Dodgers’ win over Akadema  

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WEEK OF MAY 23, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK---GIL LEBRON (BREWERS) Singles in the game winning run as the Brewers knock off White Sox for second straight win

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK RICK SCHNUR (LEONES) Goes the distance, keeps eight hits well scattered and fans seven in beating the Royals  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK DAVID LOPEZ (AKADEMA) Collects six hits (four in opener) in Akadema’s doubleheader split with the Blades

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JESSIE RUSSIANOFF (GLORY DAYS) Outstanding job in relief carries Glory Days to come from behind win over the Dodgers.  

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WEEK OF MAY 16, 2010

ROGER DEAN STADIUM 18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK DANNY LAPERNA (THUNDER)  A five hit and a three hit game includes triple, two doubles and five runs batted in

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JOSH DAWS (BEACH BUMS) Route going performance in seven inning nightcap with fifteen strikeouts to earn Beach Bums a sweep  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK STEVE GROVE (BRAVES)  Four-for-four, including a triple and three runs batted in to give Braves split with Glory Days

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JESUS FERRER (BLADES) Goes all the way and whiffs fourteen batters as Blades edge Marlins 2-1  

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WEEK OF MAY 2, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK SAMMY HERNANDEZ (WHITE SOX)Knocks in winning run in White Sox’ 7-5 over the South Florida Beach Bums

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JONATHAN MARTINEZ (CHAMOS) Fine all around effort in Chamos’ victory over the Royals. Gets pitching win plus two hits, two RBIs  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK BRIAN BARNES (GLORY DAYS) Racks up two doubles, three singles and three RBIs in Glory Days’ split with Sugar Kings

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK TAYLOR HILLIARD (ORIOLES) Complete game four hitter, plus two hits, two RBIs to complete sweep of Marlins  

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WEEK OF APRIL 25, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK BILLY BRESCIA (THUNDER)  First sacker helps to lead team to victory over Royals, collecting four hits

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK GUSTAVO LOPEZ (CHAMOS) Former Marlns farmhand fans nine in five innings to notch victory for Chamos  

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK MIKE FARRELL (PIRATES) Drills a two run homer and single as Bucs get Orioles to walk the plank.

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK JOHN MORELAND (AKADEMA) Solid eight innings with seven strikeouts to nip Braves 2-1.  

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WEEK OF APRIL 18, 2010 

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK Josh Daws (Beach Bums) Collects five hits and gets a pitching win

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK Danny Laperna (Thunder) Goes route to beat White Sox and earn a split for his team 

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK Trent Phipps (Akadema) Perfect day at the plate, 4 for 4 in win over the Tigers

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK Jose Lamezarez (Blades) Pitches new team to first ever league win and adds two hits.   

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WEEK OF APRIL 11, 2010

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK Max Johnson (Thunder)

Wallops triple, two singles, RBI as Thunder beats Leones

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK Matt Schnelly (Beach Bums)

Blanks Twins over last four innings to gain the victory. 

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK Mike DeLieuw (Akadema)

Two run HR in 9th keys six run inning to top the Marlins

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK Troy Glover (Glory Days)

Four solid innings in relief as the Hulk nails down win over Blades 

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 WEEK OF MARCH 28, 2010 

18AAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK Ricky Dominguez (Twins)

Clubs a pair of doubles and a single in Twins’ victory

18AAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK Mark McElmeel (Royals)

Strong start leads Royals past Beach Bums in league opener

18AA PLAYER OF THE WEEK Damon Gammons (Pirates)

Triple, single and strong relief pitching to gain win vs. Marlins

18AA PITCHER OF THE WEEK Miguel Alfonso (Sugar Kings)

Veteran strikes out seven in seven innings to beat Tigers

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SIXTEEN ADDED THROUGH TRYOUTS

Sixteen players, including some with previous Palm Beach League experience, were selected in the league's spring league draft, following Open Tryouts held on Sunday, March 7 at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. The top selection was 19-year old first baseman/outfielder Donnie Fitzgerald, who was tabbed by the Wellington Twins, who will be moving up to the 18AAA league this season after a successful campaign in the 18AA circuit this past Fall. Fitzgerald has lots of experience already for such a younger player. Originally from the Chicago area, Fitzgerald played high school ball, college ball at Harper College and Adult League ball before moving to West Palm, where he is attending Palm Beach State, formerly Palm Beach Community College. Fitzgerald demonstrated good hitting, including a nice power stroke, and impressed Manager Eddie Vazquez with his glove work as well. He should add power to the Twins' lineup.

The Brewers took 38-year old Roy Anderson of Coconut Creek, who was impressive as both an infielder and pitcher with their first round pick, and added a smooth fielding middle infielder in 20-year old Joseph Acosta, who played high school ball at Forest Hill High School with their second selection. Only two other players were selected by 18AAA teams.

The Royals, who will be losing two outfielders for the spring season, picked up an experienced one in 35-year old Jay Evans of Royal Palm Beach, who has played several seasons in the Palm Beach League. And, the Leones, who will be managed this season by star pitcher/infielder Kyle Merritt, tapped 33-year old corner infielder/outfielder Peter Khanna of Delray Beach. The Leones are coming off a fine season in which they finished in third place in the league's most competitive division. Merritt is replacing Fernando Miranda, who is taking the spring season off to devote more time to his job and family.

The White Sox attended the tryouts, but did not make any selections, while the Orioles and Pirates, both eligible from the 18AA league, did not participate.  

18AA League teams picked up twelve new players. The Braves, under new manager Mike Silvas and coach John Aquino, selected William (Alex) Sanabria, a 23 year old with previous league experience, but traded him to the Dodgers for future considerations. Sanabria played last season with the now defunct Cubs and before that with the Super Sox, who are now the Dodgers. Allen Fox will be taking over as manager of the Dodgers, with Glenn Siesser as the GM, and Bobby Anderson as coach.

Two other tryout candidates were assigned to the Braves, including 31-year old Lucas Bonchick of Lake Worth. Bonchick, a shortstop, played at Cardinal Newman High School in the mid 90's, in the Palm Beach League in the late 90's, and the Men's Senior Baseball League in Long Island, NY. The other is 59-year old pitcher Larry Flaster, whose background includes pitching in the Fort Lauderdale Senior League.

The Tigers, about to enter their second season in the 18AA league, picked up three new players, including two catchers. Danny Spidalieri of Wellington, 35, and 28 year old John Bravo of Wellington, who played with the Mariners in the Fall. Bravo was seeking a new team after the Mariners decided not to enter a team for the spring session. The Bengals took a third player in 32-year old Wayne Pavid of West Palm Beach, who has some league experience. In addition to Sanabria, the Dodgers got three other new players. Outfielder Ramon Jimenez, 38, of West Palm Beach was their first selection. First baseman/outfielder Phil Nelson of Royal Palm Beach, 22, formerly played in the league with the Scott Cobb-managed Marlins, right out of high school. Infielder Vincent Mancini of Boca Raton, 46, will be given a look by the Dodgers in practice sessions.

A new team, Akadema, managed by Jose Pena Jr, with Kelvin Jimenez serving as his coach, picked up one player in 42 year old first baseman Miguel Diaz of Boynton Beach, who was with the Pirates in the spring 09 season. And, the Marlins, hoping to improve on their 7-7 Fall league season, tabbed 31-year old Adam Medina of Lake Worth. Formerly a pitcher and player/manager, Medina will play first base or third base this season. Medina managed the Expos to two Fall League championships in 2001 and 2003, but has been away from the diamond for the past few seasons. .

18AAA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMOS 9 ROYALS 5---MVP GUSTAVO LOPEZ (CHAMOS)

Championship teams capitalize on mistakes. Top seeded Chamos won their third championship by posting six unearned runs in the fifth to overcame a 4-1 deficit as the sixth-seeded Royals had an inning that nightmares are made of. The Royals, who had upset both the second and third seeds en route to their first title appearance, made five errors in that inning to open the floodgates and the clock struck midnight for this year’s Cinderella team.

The Royals came out swinging, scoring three in the first inning and an additional run in the second, after Chamos got a run in the bottom of the first. Jimmy Efre and Nate Palmer singled back to back off starter Jonathan Martinez. Max Johnson drew a walk and Royals’ pitcher Manny Olivera grounded to second base with Efre scoring the fist run. With two outs, Royals’ manager Jesse McGregor ripped a two run single to left to make it 3-0. Chamos countered with a run in the bottom half. Santos Adames smacked a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Olivera attempted to pick off a runner from first base.

The Royals added a fourth run on a walk to Shane Johnson and Danny Rivera’s long double to left, but after another walk to Jamie Priester and a sharp single to right by Efre, Gustavo Lopez got out of the bases loaded, no out jam, striking out Palmer and inducing Max Johnson to hit into a double play. Lopez went on to pitch five more innings, striking out nine and yielding only a run on three hits, and earning MVP honors.

The turnaround came in the fifth. Marcos Rodriguez reached second on a pair of errors. Willie Martinez reached first on another error, and Geraldo Vazquez was safe on a sacrifice bunt which resulted in the Royals’ fourth error of the frame. Rodriguez scored on a passed ball, then Marcel Castaneda clubbed a two run double to right, followed by a pinch hit double to center by Ralph Velez. Prieto doubled in another run, advancing on an outfield throwing error. Courtesy runner David Machado stole home for run number six in the frame, and Chamos led the rest of the way The Royals made it 7-5 with a run in the 6th. Max Johnson singled, stole second and scored on Eric Sabido single. Chamos got two more when Velez singled, moved to third on Adames’ second double, and scored on a passed ball. Prieto then singled in Adames. Prieto and Willie Martinez each hurled a hitless inning, with two strikeouts each, making CHAMOS the CHAMPS again.

18AA CHAMPIONSHIP

SUGAR KINGS 4 RANGERS 2--MVP--JUNIOR GASQUEZ (SUGAR KINGS)

The fifth seeded Sugar Kings, who stormed from behind in both of their playoff games, led all the way in thiis one, and rode the lefthanded pitching arm of veteran Junior Gasquez to upset the second seeded Rangers for their second 18AA league title. The first came in the Fall 2007 season.

Gasquez was at the top of his game, firing a three hitter with seven strikeouts to earn Most Valuable Player honors for the title game. He formerly pitched with the now defunct Dobson Roofing Hurricanes, who won three league championships before dissolving in 2007.

The Sugar Kings put a run on the board in the top of the first. Ramon Serpa led off with a single, moved to second on an infield grounder, and scored on a sharp single to left by Nestor Sanjurjo, the first of his three singles. They made it 2-0 on fourth inning leadoff double by Luis Santana Jr. He moved to third on Sanjurjo’s single to right. After Sanjurjo was caught stealing second, Santana scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Joe Perez. Rangers’ starter and losing pitcher Jesus Ferrer yielded singles to Albert Bosch and Darien Viera, but no further damage was done.

The Rangers cut it to 2-1 in the bottom of the inning when Emilio Vargas singled and moved to third on a single by Jose Jimenez. Vargas stole home, as courtesy runner Vazquez stole second on a double steal. Two unearned runs in the fifth inning made it 4-1. Yandi Cabrera walked and scored all the way from first when Harold Dominguez laid down a sacrifice bunt and Ferrer threw wildly to first base, at which point he was relieved by Angel Garcia who went the rest of the way. Luis Santana Jr’s fielder’s choice grounder scored Dominguez. A walk and two errors produced the final Rangers’ run in the sixth inning.

After that, Gasquez pitched scoreless ball and caught the final out of the game on a line drive to the mound hit by Ferrer. Garcia tripled in the second but was nailed at the plate when he tried to steal home. Jimenez and Vargas had the only hits off Gasquez, both singles. The Sugar Kings had ten hits, led by Sanjurjo’s three. Viera and Serpa both had two and Santana Jr., Albert Bosch and Dominguez had one hit each. Dominguez’ hit was a double.