by Jacob Infald
We spoke with Coach Wilson and Royce Barerra. They spoke about their dominant run this summer and what makes this team so special. pic.twitter.com/xov7DDt0W0
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 10, 2024
The Bombers would carry over their dominance from the semifinals into the championship. They would face off against Team Francisco Notorious 9, who had survived a 10-9 duel with Mayhem Baseball-Berman earlier in the morning. Despite an early challenge, the Bombers once again would prevail, winning the championship by a score of 14-4 in only four innings.
In the top of the first inning, it seemed like the Bombers’ heads were still thinking about the prior game. Francisco’s dugout had tons of energy, and the bats were alive early.
Keanu Westbrook led the game off with a walk. Two batters later, a throwing error from Darvin Santana at shortstop would set Francisco up with runners on the corners and one out.
Mason Bermeo would then step to the dish and prove why his coaches have him in the cleanup spot of the order. He hit a blast to right that would plate two runs after a throwing error, Bermeo would end up at third base and Francisco would take an early 2-0 lead. Bermeo would then score on a wild pitch, and Francisco was up 3-0 after a half inning of play.
A lot of young ball clubs would let this rough start rally them, especially in postseason play. The Bombers demonstrated they are special, they kept themselves composed like professionals and put an onslaught onto Team Francisco in the bottom half of the inning.
Harvey Chen led off with a walk which was followed by a single from Miles Dua to put runners on the corners with nobody out. The following batter, Cash Morales would piece a ball right back up the middle for a base hit to get the Bombers on the board. This was followed up with a bloop infield single from Jordan Almanzar and just like that the Francisco lead was only 3-2.
After Royce Barerra worked a seven pitch walk to load up the bases, things really began to spiral down for Francisco. AJ Rosario was the next batter and he hit a pop up that Francisco starter Jared Mora made a nice running catch on.
Unfortunately, Mora thought the runner on third was off the bag, when in reality it was the runner who was on first base. Mora threw an errant throw towards third, that was clearly rushed and the ball went into left field, allowing Morales and Almanzar to score on the play and the Bombers took a 4-3 lead. Mora would then walk the following three batters before being removed with the bases loaded and a 5-3 deficit.
Sebastian Taverez would relieve Mora and Taverez did what he could, but he did not get a lot of help from his defense. He walked the first two batters, which also included an errant pickoff attempt, allowing another run to score, making this a 8-3 game.
Next, Chen would get up for the second time in the inning. He hit a ground ball to the left side that was booted, allowing another run to score. The final run of the inning came from a 6-4 fielder’s choice, and the Bombers plated a whooping 10 runs in the bottom half of the first.
Bombers’ manager Derick Wilson broke down how his team was able to manufacture 10 runs in the first inning.
“It’s a testament to their patience at the plate and their ability to make a pitcher work, they do a really good job of wearing down the pitchers…” Wilson said. “I’m super proud of the boys, they did a great job today.”
Bombers’ starter Royce Barerra did a great job settling in after this big first inning. He would only allow one run on a wild pitch over the next three innings. The Francisco dugout was constantly trying to get themselves back into the game by bringing loud, enthusiastic energy despite the score, and Barerra and his defense did not let this rattle them.
Wilson said that this is common for Barerra, as he noted that once the young pitcher gets settled into games, he is very difficult to crack.
“RJ has a great ability once he’s able to get his command down, he’s usually lights out,” Wilson said. “Today he really was locked in and came through today for us.”
Barerra was helped out by his defense. In the top of the third, with one on and one out, Vinny Ruggieri hit a bullet to the left side. Santana caught the screaming line drive, and immediately fired to first, to double up the runner, getting the Bombers out of the inning.
Another web-gem play would follow in the top of the fourth. With two outs and nobody on, Taverez hit a fly ball to shallow left-center that looked like a hit off the bat. However, EJ Espinal made a diving, running catch to rob Taverez of a hit to end the inning.
Web-Gem🚨🚨. EJ Espinal makes a running catch in left for the third out of the inning. Barrera and his defense are doing an excellent job preventing Francisco from gaining any momentum back. The Bombers still lead 10-4. pic.twitter.com/9ApkPS9D0i
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 10, 2024
While Taverez was robbed at the plate, he did a great job on the mound keeping Francisco in the game. He fired back-to-back scoreless innings, doing a great job mixing speeds to keep the dangerous Bomber hitters off-balance. However, Taverez would begin to run out of speed in the bottom of the fourth.
Morales led off with a walk. Taverez was able to strike out Almanzar looking for the first out of the inning, but this would be the last out that he would record.
Taverez would then walk Barerra, before throwing a wild pitch, allowing both Morales and Barerra to move into scoring position. The Bombers would capitalize on this wild pitch, as Rosario would get an infield single to the left side, giving his team an 11-4 lead.
The following batter was Dom Fiorello who recorded a base hit to center field, scoring both Barerra and Rosario to give the Bombers a 13-4 lead. After a throw to the plate, Fiorello stood at third base, just 60 feet away from securing victory for the Bombers courtesy of mercy rule.
The Bombers win on mercy!! They are your 9U American Summer Showdown Champions!!!
Bombers 14 – Team Francisco 4 pic.twitter.com/rwhqSisRmU— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 10, 2024
Cole Niblock would come in to relieve Taverez who gave Francisco a valiant effort today. Unfortunately, Niblock would throw a wild pitch, Fiorello hustled home and slid in safely to win the game, and the championship for the Bombers as they began the celebration.
The Bombers wrapped up the season, going 16-2 and dominating from start to finish. Coach Wilson said that it is truly an honor to coach such a talented group of young ballplayers.
“I’m blessed with a great group of young men,” Wilson said. “These kids they work hard, they’ve been together for awhile now, it’s a core group of kids. They come out here everyday and put their best foot forward…it’s all about them, it’s been great, it’s been a pleasure.”
Coach Wilson said that the team will rest up now before gearing up for a Labor Day tournament and another competitive fall season where the goal will be to continue to get better and win.
