By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
Along with all the excitement going on over by the softball diamond, the baseball field at Posse Grounds Park had a little excitement of its own Wednesday, May 27, as the Sedona Tigers defeated the Sedona Dodgers in a thriller, 10-7.
“We’ve played four games against these guys and we 10-runned them in the first one, then every other game after that was close,” Tigers skipper Scott Davis said.
The Dodgers looked like they would be the victors after taking a 7-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Tigers would not lie down to a team they had beaten twice before and tied once as they scored seven runs in the next three innings to get the victory.
In the top of the sixth inning the Tigers tied it at 7-7 as relief pitcher Carlos Rodriguez bottled up the Dodgers offense, going three innings, allowing three runs to score on two hits while striking out five batters.
“Carlos [Rodriguez] did a great job for us against the Dodgers, and our catcher Tuckery Davis, who caught every inning this season, was fantastic as well,” Davis said.
Rodriguez took the ball after starting pitcher Scotty Moker struggled in the first and second innings, allowing three runs. Once Rodriguez took the reins however, the Tigers were able to settle down and start thinking offense.
In extra innings tied at 7-7, the Tigers were up to bat in the top of the seventh inning and put up three runs to take the lead at 10-7.
Getting it started, Jordan May singled for the Tigers to lead off the inning, then teammate Randy Rodriguez walked to put runners on first and second with nobody out.
After a few passed balls, May found a way to score to give the Tigers the late 8-7 lead, but Carlos Rodriguez stepped to the plate and singled, putting runners on the corners, still with nobody out.
Gage Benevento stood at the plate next as the Dodger pitcher stared him down, then managed to throw one right over the sweet spot and Benevento shot it to the gap in right field, scoring the Rodriguez brothers and giving his Tigers a 10-7 lead.
“Our hitting has come a long way this season. The boys have all done a great job,” Davis said.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Tiger pitching would put up their third straight zero of the game after Randy Rodriguez made a diving play at his second base position and threw the Dodger runner out at first for the final out of the regular season, giving the Tigers and their parents something to celebrate.
With the victory, the Tigers wrap up their season with a 10-6 overall record and were 3-0-1 against the Dodgers this season, their Sedona partner in the Majors division.
Standouts in Wednesday’s game included Benevento who was 4-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and one run scored.
Shortstop Carlos Rodriguez was 4-5 as well with a double and three runs scored while his brother Randy was 1-3 with two walks and two runs scored.
With the regular season now over, most of the players and coaches have All-Stars to look forward to.
All-Star rosters will be officially announced Monday, June 15, and practice will begin Tuesday, June 16.
The 11-12 All-Star team tournament will begin Tuesday, July 7, in Williams.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
