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Margate Marlins take Spring 2023 18+ Division Title with fierce 2-1 Win over Team Venezuela
Posted by Mickey · April 9, 2024
Margate Marlins vs Team Venezuela 18+ Open Division Championship Game
Managed by Kelvin Abreu, the Margate Marlins entered the Spring 2023 postseason as the 3rd seed, but that was trouble enough for the rest of the playoff teams.
Marlins starter righty Ariel Burgos was dueling through seven innings. He scattered just six hits and six strikeouts, with only one free pass allowed and only one earned run. Despite that, he was matching up against former Phillies prospect — now starter for Team Venezuela — left hander Orestes Meléndez, who was on top of his game. In a pitchers' duel, Meléndez went all nine innings, the first time he had done so according to his manager, Venezuela coach Hector Garcia, and struck out a career-high 16 batters. Despite his "outstanding, amazing, unheralded effort," the Marlins had a counter.
Fireballing closer Miguel Castellanos entered in the top of the 8th inning and changed the dynamic of the one-all game. He ripped an RBI double, later scoring himself as the Marlins rallied in the 8th for the two runs, then blew away Venezuela with two innings of four-strikeout ball that won them the championship — a true two-way MVP performance both at the bat and on the mound.
"In our quarterfinals win against the Braves we were down 4-0, and we scored 12 unanswered and beat them 12-4. In the semi-finals we beat the Reds 1-0, and then our pitching won us the finals, the championship game 2-1. That's the mark of a good team. It was an emotional game, about responding. The thing about our team is to us it's not just a baseball team. A lot of us don't have family here, so we're a family. A group of guys who are brothers. We've been playing together for 7-8 seasons, just having fun and playing ball. We play our game, and we're going to defend our title."
— Marlins manager Kelvin Abreu
Miami Amigos steal Spring 2023 28+ Division Crown with 6-5 Walk-Off Win over Aventura Braves
Posted by Mickey · April 9, 2024
In a dramatic championship match, the Miami Amigos defeated the Aventura Braves 6-5 with a walk-off victory in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Braves had controlled much of the game, scoring in the second inning, then adding two runs in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. The Amigos responded with a sixth-inning run, but the Braves extended their advantage to 5-3 by the seventh.
The ninth inning proved decisive. After a controversial double play that drew objections from both teams, Eddie Cabrera stepped to the plate on a full count with runners in scoring position. He delivered a single down the first-base line that scored a run, evening the contest at 5-5.
Cabrera then executed a stolen base attempt that sparked controversy, as the Braves failed to realize play remained active. While arguing the call, he advanced to third base. José Aguada followed with a grounder to the shortstop that found the outfield gap. When Braves shortstop Alex Roa's throw home arrived, Cabrera slid around the tag with a hand-first approach to secure the winning run.
Cabrera earned MVP honors, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Pitcher Ruben Ramos contributed seven and one-third innings, striking out six batters while allowing seven hits. Eric Whitehurst went 3-for-4, while Gus Castillo and Gil Rodriguez each recorded two hits in four at-bats.
"We've knocked them out of the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 seasons… beating them is the best feeling in the world."
— Eddie Cabrera
Dade Nationals blow out Southern Yankees 13-5, Repeat as 35+ Division Champs
Posted by Mickey · April 11, 2024
The Southern Yankees certainly didn't see this coming after a stellar 10-2 regular season. They were so offensively mighty that they mercy-ruled teams five times during the regular season. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they were facing a franchise in the Dade Nationals — a group accustomed to winning championships, having previously won an unprecedented eight in a row. Their intensity right out of the gate kept the Yankees reeling.
The Yankees didn't hit at all against the tough flame-throwing lefty. Mike Ennis and Melvyn Martinez had two hits apiece for the Yankees in a very quiet offensive display.
"The big offensive production, usually a staple this season, just wasn't there from our talented players. We have lots to be thankful and proud of. Throughout the season we played short-handed sometimes with 9 or 10 players but still managed to have a stellar record. We had lots of fun in the dugout with all the good natured ribbing and laughs. Many players had a breakout season but somehow we managed to self-destruct defensively and didn't hit like we normally did, but we still have lots to be proud of as a team."
— Yankees manager Ray Asmar
The Nationals were led by Ramon Alfonso, who is familiar with the big moment. He's previously won MVPs of championship games, most recently in the Fall 2022 season. Alfonso stymied the Yankees by hurling a complete game. He had a Ruthian performance, sparkling both on the mound and beside the plate — racking up four hits including a pair of doubles, one of them a bases-clearing double that put the game away early in the 3rd inning.
If there's anything one cannot do against a team that has won its division's previous eight consecutive titles, it's play shoddy defense. The Yankees turned in a sloppy defensive performance, committing three errors. The Nationals proved ruthless opportunists, ultimately turning those mistakes into three extra runs as the previous champs were re-crowned for the ninth time.
"It's no easy feat, winning 9 championships in a row, but this club is so together. We're looking forward to winning as many as possible together. We want to keep adding to the trophy case."
— Nationals manager Jorge Orbeta
Dacar Senators Win Fall '22 28+ Title 10-2 Over Amigos
Posted by Mickey · April 16, 2024
The Dacar Senators claimed the Fall 2022 South Florida Baseball League 28+ division championship, defeating the Miami Amigos 10-2 at Flamingo Park in Miami on July 16, 2023. The Senators finished with a 7-6 record, while the favored Amigos entered with a 10-2 mark.
Manager Hernan Mejias guided Dacar to victory. Starter Robert Palencia delivered an outstanding performance, pitching a complete game and allowing just one earned run across nine innings, earning MVP honors for the championship game.
"Our bats were in good form that day, and we took full advantage of every opportunity. We ran with confidence. Every time we had guys on base we drove them in."
— Dacar manager Hernan Mejias
"They played a hell of a game. They were more thoroughly prepared and they had a great game out there. You gotta tip your cap and say good game, boys."
— Amigos manager Eddie Cabrera