Eagle Pass Cal Ripken Baseball Majors (12 Under) All-Stars Sweep Southwest Region Championship over Westside, Alabama 6-1, Advance to Cal Ripken Baseball World Series in Branson, Missouri during August 3-14
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2022
The Eagle Pass Cal Ripken Baseball Majors (12 Under) All-Stars went undefeated (5-0) during the Cal Ripken Baseball Southwest Region Tournament during July 7-10, 2022 held at the City of Eagle Pass Patsy Winn Sports Complex in Eagle Pass, Texas, sweeping the Westside, Alabama All-Stars 6-1 in the Championship game on July 10, 2022 and punched their ticket to the Cal Ripken Baseball 2022 World Series in Branson, Missouri during August 3-14, 2022.
After a scoreless first inning dominated by strong pitching, Eagle Pass plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning as Matthew Cruz belted a double to right center field to lead off, followed by a perfect bunt single by Orly Chavarria to advance Cruz to third base, Izzaiah Chavarria bunted safely to load the bases, the next batter struck out for the first out, David Hernandez hit an infield single to score Cruz and keep the bases loaded, Jay Jacquez drew a bases on balls to score Chavarria for the second run, and the next two batters struck out with bases loaded, giving Eagle Pass an early 2-0 lead.
Eagle Pass pitcher Jay Jacquez kept the Westside, Alabama off the scoreboard with a combination of fast balls, change ups, and curve balls, as well as rock solid defense by his teammates.
Eagle Pass added one run in the third inning as Matthew Cruz drew a bases on balls with one out and swiftly stole second base, the next hitter flied out for the second out, Izzaiah Chavarria hit a hard ground ball to shortstop that was mishandled to score Cruz for the third run.
Eagle Pass tallied two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as David Hernandez led off with a single to left field, Jay Jacquez grounded out on a fielders choice to advance Hernandez to second base, Jose Sanchez doubled to center field to score Hernandez, the next batter struck out for the second out, Caleb Hernandez got on base on a fielding error to score Sanchez, and the next batter flied out, giving Eagle Pass a strong 5-0 lead.
Eagle Pass notched another run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Orly Chavarria drew a walk to get on base and stole second base, the next batter struck out, Robert Fernandez hit a fielder’s choice to score Chavarria, and the next two batters grounded out to end the inning, giving Eagle Pass a 6-0 lead going into the final sixth inning.
Westside, Alabama All-Stars tallied one run in the top of the sixth inning, but Eagle Pass ace pitcher Jay Jacquez buckled down to close the game and securing the Championship 6-1, tossing a complete six innings in 100 degree heat while allowing only three hits, one walk, and one unearned run on an Eagle Pass fielding error.
Jacquez was awarded the Tournament Most Valuable Player Award during the Awards Ceremony following the game for his outstanding performance and sportsmanship during tournament play.
Babe Ruth Baseball-Cal Ripken Assistant Regional Commissioner Art Evans, who was the Tournament Director, presented the Southwest Region Championship Rings and Banner to the Eagle Pass players at the Awards Ceremony following the game. Evans also presented Runner-Up medals to the Westside, Alabama All-Stars and congratulated both teams for an outstanding tournament.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. congratulated both teams for an exciting Championship game and thanked the Westside, Alabama All-Stars for traveling to Eagle Pass to participate in the Cal Ripken Baseball Southwest Tournament.
Eagle Pass Babe Ruth Baseball President Morris Libson, Jr. presented Art Evans with a plaque of appreciation to Art Evans of Babe Ruth Baseball-Cal Ripken Baseball for holding the tournament in Eagle Pass and to Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. for the City Council’s support of youth sports in the community.
The Eagle Pass Cal Ripken Baseball 12 Under (Majors) All-Stars include Renato De La Garza, Jose Sanchez, Orly Chavarria, David Hernandez, Caleb Hernandez, Jay Jacquez, Mathan Cruz, Sebastian Camarillo, Robert Fernandez, Hiram Mauricio, Izzaiah Chavarria, and Jaime Garcia. Team Manager is Robert De La Garza and Assistant Coaches are Jose Sanchez, Orlando Chavarria, and Morris Libson, Jr.
Eagle Pass now advances to the Babe Ruth Baseball, Inc.’s Cal Ripken Baseball Majors (12 Under) World Series in Branson, Missouri during August 3-14, 2022.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates the Eagle Pass Cal Ripken Baseball 12 Under (Majors) All-Stars on clinching the Southwest Region Championship and wishes them all the best in the World Series. Go Eagle Pass!
