Yoemen set for showdown with Rogers for district title
The Cameron Yoemen baseball team shut out the Rockdale Tigers on Tuesday 6-0 in a game that was closer than the scoreboard will tell you.
The Yoemen started off the scoring early in the top of the first inning with an RBI single by single by Marino Cardona (15) for the first run of the game as the hit allowed Landon Greene (9), who earlier had reached base on a fielding error to score. The first inning with no additional scoring. Greene backed up his team and pitched a shutout first inning, keeping the score 1-0.
Jaidyn Sanchez (11) opened the top of the second inning with a leadoff single for the Yoemen, then stole second base. He was sent home with an RBI single to center field by Bobby Borgas (7) for the second run of the game for Cameron.
The Yoemen would get a two out walk by Tracer Lopez (3), but left him stranded as the inning ended on a groundout. Greene allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom of the second inning, but caught the runner stealing second on a fantastic throw by the catcher, Dillan Akin (4). Greene went on to pitch a shutout second inning.
Akin would lead off the top of the third inning with a single. Carlos Bolivar (8) came in as the pinch runner and stole second base. He was left stranded as inning ended on a pop out. Greene pitched a perfect third inning. Brannon McCall (6) earned a walk to lead off the top of the fourth inning. He reached second base on a sacrifice bunt by Borgas.
McCall advanced to third base as Braylan Drake (13) reached first base on a bunt fielder’s choice as the pitcher tried to get McCall out at third and failed. The top of the fourth inning ended with Lopez grounding into a double play. Greene allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the fourth inning. The runner was caught trying to steal second base as he was caught off guard and tagged out by the first baseman, Marino Cardona (15).
Greene finished the bottom of the fourth inning successfully by getting a swinging strikeout. Greene stepped up to the plate in the top of the fifth inning on offense and hit a leadoff single. The top of the fifth inning came to an end on a line out double play caught by the infielder and threw the ball back to first base to complete the double play. Greene allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The first out came on a bunt pop up caught by Akin. Greene continued his dominance and finished the bottom of the fifth inning with two strikeouts. Cameron started the offense in the top of the sixth inning with a leadoff walk by Adam Cardona (1). He advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Sanchez. McCall was hit by a pitch and advanced to first base. Both advanced on a double steal, putting the runners on second and third base.
Armando Reyes (2) walked on four pitches to load the bases. The team couldn’t bring them home as the top of the sixth inning ended on a strikeout. Greene continued his brilliant pitching performance pitched a clean sixth inning.
Cameron came to bat in the top of the seventh inning as Greene reached first on a hard hit single towards the shortstop. Kason Goolsby (14) came in as the pinch runner, then stole second base. He reached third base on a single by Akin. Goolsby reached home plate on a wild pitch for the third run of the game. Cameron would open up the game with a two RBI bunt single for a 5-0 lead by Sanchez where he reached third base due to the infielder throwing the ball past first base. Cameron would add on with an RBI sacrifice fly by McCall making it a 6-0 game. The top of the seventh inning ended on a pop out in the infield.
“In that top of the seventh we were able to execute and put pressure on the defense,” Coach Hector Delgadillo said. “We got runners on base and made things happen. We were able to execute at the plate.” S
Greene pitched a clean seventh inning to seal the win for the Yoemen 6-0. Those final three outs sealed a fantastic pitching performance by Greene. He allowed only two hits, one walk, and threw eleven strikeouts.
“Landen had control of all his pitches tonight,” Delgadillo said. “He was able to get ahead in the count and put hitters away when he needed too. Most importantly he competed.”
With this win, Cameron is now 10-1 in district play and has an overall record of 20-6. Their final game of the regular season will be against the Rogers Eagles. Since Rogers is also 10-1 in district play, this game will determine the number one spot in the district standings.
“We can take the win and carry it as momentum going into Friday,” Delgadillo said. “We’ll get back to work tomorrow and Thursday. We’re playing for a district championship at home. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The game will be played in the Yards of Cameron and first pitch will be at 7 p.m.