Dateline Surprise, AZ – Westside Baseball's Westchester Babe Ruth 14-and-under All-Star team split its first two games in the Pacific Southwest regional championship yesterday.
Westchester fell to a pesky Hawaii team, 6-0, in the first game, before blowing out Nevada's representative, Fallon, 22-3, in the nightcap.
Hawaii starter Matthew Eastlock baffled Westchester for seven innings, giving up just four hits (singles by Justin Morris, Aaron Greenfield and Nolan Martinez and a double by Kelvin Murillo).
Westchester pitchers Kailin Woodard, Dom Johnson and Jason Zeidman pitched effectively, but the offense just wasn't able to keep Westchester in the game. Manager Hector Zamora complimented Eastlock. “He was very poised for a 14-year-old,” said Zamora, “and he did his job.”
Said Nolan Martinez: “He kept us off balance, and he hit his spots. We seemed a bit flat. I hope we get another shot at him in the Finals.”
Westchester was anything but flat in the second game, stunning Nevada with nine runs in the top of the first inning. Indeed, Westchester scored eight runs before Nevada recorded the first out. Kane Kutler's line drive two-run single and a perfect bunt single down the third base line by left fielder Dailin Lee highlighted the scoring.
Starting pitcher Dylan Sledge, breezed through the first inning, shutting down Nevada without a hit. After a couple of bad breaks, Sledge gave way to Zeidman in the second. Zeidman pitched out of a jam, and Westchester held a comfortable 9-1 lead after two innings.
Westchester was not done scoring, adding another four in the top of the third inning on a Dailin Lee triple, singles by Morris, Murillo and Greenfield and a 360-foot home run over the left field fence by Martinez.
Westchester exploded for nine more in the fourth, including hits by Martinez, Woodard, Brandon Brown and and a bases clearing single by Eli Saucedo. Lee followed with an inside the park home run. Three batters later, Greenfield ended the scoring with a three-run home run down the left field line, measured at 340 feet.
Zeidman tired in the fourth, giving way to Johnson and Woodard.
Martinez had four hits, and Lee and Greenfield had three apiece. Lee, showing rare emotion, spoke of the team's big win. “We came back after a tough loss and showed intensity,” he said.
First baseman Derek Marshall explained, “We redeemed ourselves, and I hope we can bring our bats to the Arizona game.”
This afternoon, Westchester faces Arizona at 5 o’clock.
Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.com
