For the Islander
The title of League Champion came down to the final week of league play. Straight Up Builders and Coyote Joe’s came in tied, with Catalina Express just a half game out. Straight Up Builders played Eric’s on the Pier in the first game. Eric’s on the pier was up first and scored four runs off a Robert Reyes double followed by four base hits.
Straight Up Builders answered back with four runs on three base hits and doubles from Jose Cuevas and Daniel Paradisi. Straight Up Builders took the lead in the second with two runs off a base hit, an error and a double from Manuel Hernandez. Eric’s on the Pier tied it up in the third with the two RBI home run from Beto Martin.
Straight Up Builders regained the lead in the bottom of the inning with three runs home. Chuy Sillas hit a double in the effort. Straight Up Builders added two more in the fourth off two walks, a base hit, and a triple from Jose Cuevas.
Down by five, Eric’s on the Pier got their last at bat. Three runs crossed the plate before the final two outs, and the game ended with the score Eric’s on the Pier 9, Straight Up Builders 11. With the win, Straight Up Builders had to wait to see what would happen with Coyote Joe’s in the second game.
For Eric’s on the Pier, Robert Reyes was three for three. Beto Martin, Brandon Franco, Joe Talsky, Edmundo Vega and Aimee Casillas all had two hits. Javier Jimenez and Kyle Ostrenski contributed one hit.
For Straight Up Buidlers, Jose Cuevas and Manuel Hernandez both had three hits. Chuy Sillas had two hits. Daniel Paradisi, Elias Romero, Briana Morones, Selina Morones and Leah Quarnstrom all had one hit.
Game two had Coyote Joe’s facing off against Catalina Express. Coyote Joe’s got off to a fast start with five runs off two base hits, a walk, and doubles from Francisco Bravo, Ryan Hinkley and Hugh Bevins.
Catalina Express answered with three runs off a home run from Tyler Engel. Coyote Joe’s added two more in the second off a double from Francisco Bravo, and a triple from Ryan HInkley. Nestor Cubillas made an amazing come out of nowhere running catch to deny Sean Sterling of the extra base hit.
Catalina Express scored one run off back to back doubles from Maria Reyes and Nestor Cubillas. Juan De La Cruz hit a solo home run for Coyote Joe’s in the third. Catalina Express turned a walk into a run in the bottom of the inning. Coyote Joe’s kept the pressure on in the fourth, with five runs on three base hits, a double from Laura Priest, and a three RBI inside-the-park home run from Ryan Hinkley.
Catalina Express got serious in the bottom of the inning. Nestor Cubillas opened with a triple. Two base hits later with two runs home, Tyler Engel hit a two RBI home run. Three more base hits and doubles from Nestor Cubillas and Allan Casillas was followed by a two RBI home run from Steven Marcy and another two RBI home run from Tyler Engel, which added up to a total of eleven runs home.
After holding Coyote Joe’s scoreless in the fifth, Catalina Express put up five more runs, three off the second home run from Steven Marcy, and two from the home run from Allan Casillas. Time ran out, and the game ended with the score Coyote Joe’s 15, Catalina Express 21. With the Catalina Express victory, Straight Up Builders won the league title.
For Coyote Joe’s, Francisco Bravo and Ryan Hinkley were three for three. Juan De la Cruz and Kenton Efhan had two hits. J.D. Laflin, Hugh Bevins, Victor Moreno, Sean Sterling and Laura Priest contributed one hit.
For Catalina Express, Nestor Cubillas was five for five. Steven Marcy collected four hits. Tyler Engel was three for three. Santiago Martinez also had three hits. Allan Casillas collected two hits. Reed Woodyard, Stephanie Martinez, LeeAnn Little and Maria Reyes all had one hit.
Final Standings
Straight Up Builders 5-3-1
Catalina Express 5-4
Coyote Joe’s 4-4-1
Eric’s on the Pier 3-5
Top Batters
Ryan Hinkley .955
Robert Reyes .833
Leo Aguilar .833
Brandon Franco .800
Francisco Bravo .800
Allan Casillas .760
Tyler Engel .714
Chuy Sillas .704
Jose Cuevas .704
Selina Morones .500
Briana Morones .486
Stephanie Martinez .467
Aimee Casillas .424
Leah Quarnstrom .333
Laura Priest .320
LeeAnn Little .318
Maria Reyes .300
