Championship Game Recap

Ages 7-9

We had a rematch of the first championship with the Tigers beating the Padres in the semifinals and advancing to the championship series against the Indians. In the first game it was a defensive battle as the two teams found themselves deadlocked at 2 all and needed an extra inning of play. In the bottom of the sixth it was Santos Guevara who knocked in the runner from second to give the Indians a walk off winner, as they took a 1-0 series lead. The second game featured more offensive but ironically all the runs were scored in three innings. The Tigers scored 4 in the first and 5 in the third, while the Indians scored six in the second and were shut out the rest of the game as the Tigers knotted up the series by winning 9-6. The final game was another closely contested battle as the Tigers led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth, but unfortunately that is where things unraveled for them as the Indians put up an incredible 10-run inning which was heavily aided by costly errors. The Tigers gave the Indians a scare in the top half of the last inning as they scored 5 runs but the deficit was too big and the Indians captured the championship again by winning 11-7.

Ages 10-11

It was another rematch in this championship as the Braves squeaked past the Cardinals for a rematch against the Athletics. The Athletics dominated the first game both offensively and defensively as they surrendered only one hit and won 10-0. The second game looked like it would follow suit as the A’s were winning 8-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth. Yet, the Braves battled and cut the lead to 8-6 for their final at bat. With two outs and a man on first, Alexander Lopez hit a two run homerun to tie the game up for the Braves and force extra innings. The Athletics scored in the top half of the extra inning, but the Braves yet again used magic with runners on first and second. Fredman Morales hit a liner into right field and Milton Aleman ran all the way from first to slide under the tag at home to win the game for the Braves. The Braves tied the series in what was the most exciting game of the year. Unfortunately, the Braves used up all their magic in game two and the Athletics looked like a well oiled defensive machine in game three as they played error free baseball and won the game 7-0 while taking home their second championship. 

Ages 12-13

The Reds found a way to upset the Red Sox in the semifinals and advance to their second straight final to play the number one seeded Yankees. The Yankees did what they have done for most of this season and that was score runs. They won the first game 11-1 and the second game they exploded for an 18-9 win. After being upset in the semifinals by the Reds in May the Yankees were able to get the last laugh as they won the championship in convincing fashion.