Mater Lakes Academy Rallies Late to Edge American 4-3

American rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to defeat Mater Lakes Academy 4-3 on Friday.

“The team that made the least mistakes won today’s game,” Mater Lakes coach Cesar Temes said.

Anthony Rondon opened the third with a single to left field, giving Mater Lakes their first hit of the game. Rondo came home after lead-off hitter Daniel Morales dropped a bunt down the first-base line for the game’s first run.

The Patriots rebounded with a run of their own. After Charles Vazquez’s grounder was misplayed, courtesy-runner Gilbert Delgado found his way between third and home and was almost tagged out but managed to swindle past Mater Lakes to tie the game at 1.

The Patriots struck again in the fifth after Andrew De La Torre gave up just his fourth hit of the game, a double, to Kristopher Perez. Edison Cabrera followed with a bunt and beat out the throw to first, which also allowed Perez to move into scoring position. Mater Lakes then intentionally walked Vazquez, loading the bases. American captured the lead when Andy Figueroa batted into a fielders choice, bringing in Perez. Kevin Peraza helped add to the lead after his RBI sacrifice fly brought in Cabrera.

Andrew De La Torre may have given up two runs in the fifth but he bounced back with two strikeouts in the sixth.

“I wasn’t in my zone (in the fifth),” De La Torre said. “The sixth inning came, and I just found my spots.”

Angel Domench started on the mound for American and held Mater Lakes to one run through six innings.

Pinch-hitter Abraham Ortega singled up the middle to start the rally in the seventh. Anthony Rondon drew a base-on-balls, the only walk Domench gave up all game. Ortega came in after Jordan Cox’s bunt was mishandled, and Rondon tied the game at 3 after Cesar Temes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Alfreddi Ramos then brought in the winning run with a fly-out to center field.

American Patriots coach Rickey Gutierrez showed his trust in Domench, allowing him to finish out the game.

“It was his game to lose. He threw a heck of a game,” Gutierrez said, “but we didn’t make the plays behind him.”

Mater Lakes earned their seventh win of the season as American dropped to 6-4.

“Both teams made a bunch of mistakes, and we came through at the end,” Temes said. “Our pitching kept us in the game, and we had some timely hitting at the end.”

Leave a comment using your facebook account!