Game Recap February 20, 2016

Before we get into this week’s action, let’s first get you caught up on what happened two weeks before. In the 7-9 year old division the Indians of Candelaria continued their dominant streak by beating the Pirates of Nuevo Amanacer 26-2. The Padres of Quitanca avenged their loss to the Tigers of Santa Matilde 11-5. Moving on to the 10-11 year old division, the Athletics of Quitanca edged out the Braves of Candelaria 6-4 in which was the most entertaining game of the day. The Rangers of Nuevo Amanacer used a big last inning to get past the Cardinals of Santa Matilde 22-12. Finally in the older division it was the Red Sox of Quitanca remaining undefeated by beating the Giants of Nuevo Amanacer 19-9. The Yankees of Santa Matilde remained winless as they fell to the Reds of Candelaria 11-7. Going into Saturday the standings for each of the leagues were as followed:

7-9 Indians (4-0), Padres (2-2), Tigers (2-2), Pirates (0-4)

10-11 Athletics (4-0), Rangers (2-2), Braves (1-3), Cardinals (1-3)

12-13 Red Sox (4-0), Reds (3-1), Giants (2-2), Yankees (0-4)

Now on to the action from Saturday

AGE GROUP: 7-9

Game: Padres of Quitanca vs Indians of Candelaria

The Padres were riding a two game win streak and came in with plenty of confidence. The coach of the Padres, Walberto Reyes, enthused such confidence when asked earlier in the week how he thought the game would go by simply responding, “We are going to win.” The Indians came out cool, calm, and collective by putting up 5 runs in the first thanks to back-to-back home runs by Ruben Calero and Norlan Trana. From there the Indians never looked back as they used their air tight defense to hold the Padres to one run the whole game. The Indians remained undefeated by winning 11-1.

The Padres getting stretched out by doing the ole hip thrust routine

Don't be fooled these kids mean business on Saturdays!

Game: Pirates of Nuevo Amanacer vs Tigers of Candelaria

After winning two straight games the Tigers had lost two straight and were desperate to find their groove again versus the winless Pirates. It looked like it was going to be the same ole same ole for the Pirates as they gave up a quick 4 runs in the top of the first and were not able to score any runs in their half of the first. But, the bats for both teams were quiet for the next two innings as the game stayed 4-0 Tigers going into the bottom half of the fourth. The Pirates finally got something going and closed the gap to two runs heading into the fifth. The Tigers added one run in the top of the fifth and looked poised to win the game. Searching deep within, the relentless Pirates quickly tied the game at 5 all and only had one out with a man on first. The Tigers used some crafty defense to get the final two outs as the teams went to extra innings. Rolling from the momentum of their defense and the Pirates feeling demoralized from not completing their comeback, the Tigers exploded for 9 runs in the extra inning and the Pirates only added 3 as the Tigers won the game 14-8.

The Tigers getting off to a fast start in the first inning!

Probably the reason the Pirates lost...they were distracted by their picture being taken

Next Week:

It will be interesting to see how the two games next week turn out as the Tigers look to ride their momentum building win as they take on the undefeated Indians. The Padres will look to bounce back against the Pirates.

AGE GROUP: 10-11

Game: Cardinals of Candelaria vs Athletics of Quitanca

The last time these two teams met the Athletics won 20-0 in three innings and the pitcher for the Athletics struck out all 9 batters he faced. This week was a complete 180. The Athletics got things going with two runs in the first, but the Cardinals answered back with two runs of their own. The Athletics came back with three runs in the second and the score stayed 5-2 heading into the bottom half of the third inning when the Cardinals began to soar. The Cardinals took advantage of spotty pitching and uncharacteristic bad defense by the Athletics and scored 7 runs to take a 9-5 lead heading into the fourth. The score stayed the same until the Athletics managed to get one run in the fifth. They shut down the Cardinals in the bottom half and went into the final inning trailing by only three. With their first defeat staring them in the face the Athletics came out like true champions and scored 5 runs in the sixth to take a 11-9 lead. The Cardinals got two quick outs, but after a single and an error the Cardinals scored a run and had a man on second. Unfortunately for the Cardinals that is how the game ended as their upset bid came up short when the Athletics pitcher struck out the next batter and the team from Quitanca remained undefeated by winning 11-10.

The A's were cheering to help them spark their rally

Win or lose the coaches always remind the kids to give thanks to God before and after the games

Game: Rangers of Nuevo Amanacer vs. Braves of Candelaria

Thanks to the Cardinals losing this game turned out to be a battle for second place. The game started out with the Braves going scoreless and surrendering five runs in the first inning as the Rangers came out swinging. The Braves not being phased by being down big early, which has happened every game they have played, got their bats going and came through with 7 runs in the top of the second to take the lead. The game stayed 7-5 until the Rangers tied up the game in the third inning. It looked like it was going to be a tight battle for the final three innings but the Braves were too determined to win as they scored 3 runs in the fourth and fifth innings as the Rangers only managed one run over the final three innings and the Braves were the ones who seized control of second place by winning 13-8.

The Braves hanging out before the game

Esteban wondering how they let a 5-0 lead slip away

AGE GROUP: 12-13

Game: Yankees of Santa Matilde vs Giants of Nuevo Amanacer

Unfortunately the Yankees were not able to find the win column for the fifth straight week as the Giants seized control of the game from the start by scoring 8 runs in the top half of the first. The Yankees looked to have some sort of life in the fifth as they closed the lead from 13-2 to 13-6. But, that was as close as they would come as the game finished 13-6 with the Giants getting their second win against the Yankees.

Next Week:

The focus will be on the game that will feature the feisty Cardinals and the Braves. What looked like an upset win for the Cardinals the first time these two played now seems like it was the game that woke the Cardinals up as they have looked much improved the past two weeks even though they were not able to register a win. The other game will feature the undefeated Athletics looking to keep it going against the Rangers.

The fans got a little sleepy during this game

But the Giants left happy!

Game: Red Sox of Quitanca vs Reds of Candelaria

It was the most anticipated of the game as the two top teams of the older division faced off for the second time. It was a defensive battle through the first two innings as the game was deadlocked 1-1 heading into the third. The Reds took the lead by scoring two runs in the third, but the Red Sox being the dominant team they are responded with four runs of their own and led 5-3 going into the fourth. The Reds could not get the bats going and went three up and three down. Sensing blood the Red Sox struck and added three more runs to take a 8-3 lead. They would add five more in the fifth and eventually win 13-3 to take a firm grasp of the top spot of the division.

Wilson is getting some pregame advice from one of his coaches who plays on the National softball team

We can never get enough of the beautiful scenery we have here!

Next Week:

The Yankees will have to look for inspiration from the Cardinals who gave the undefeated Athletics all they could want and more if they are going to be able to get their first win against the undefeated Red Sox. While the game of the week will be the Giants looking for revenge against the Reds as they look to take over second place in the division.