by William Saunders

LAKE BEUNA VISTA, Fla. – 8:00 AM Semi-Final Pool A

Probably the most anticipated game of the entire tournament. TBS #1 Oklahoma Elite faced the previous TBS #1 and current #5 ranked Tomateros de California. Both teams have gone through the tournament undefeated.

The Oklahoma Elite reached the semi-finals by defeating the TBS #13 Central Florida Bobcats in a close game 3-1 and Stixx (TX) in pool play. The Tomateros took on TBS #10 West Pines Nike Cobras and beat them in four innings 8-0, their second pool game was against Lehigh Valley Stealth winning that contest 9-1.  

Bracket play started on Wednesday but both the Elite and Tomateros earned a day off and did not play until Thursday. The Tomateros from Southern California faced TBS #21 VYAA Bombers from Northern California. The Tomateros combined big time offense and defense with strong pitching to beat the Bombers 19-4 in 3 innings. For the Tomateros, Joe Ruiz Jr. pitched 2 strong innings and David Molino pitched the 3rd. Ruiz also helped his cause by going 3-3 with a triple and scored three runs. Catcher Josh Rios had a 3 RBI double in the 2nd inning to break the game open. SS Willy Aguilar had a great game defensively and at the plate. Isaac “Ice” Guiterrez went 1-1 and 2BB had an outstanding game in the field as well. Bryan “Big Mac” Duenas, the ace of the staff, played 1st base and 1-3, scored a run and drove in a run. The Tomateros also got hits from Lolo Aronna (1-1), Andrew Quezada (2-2), Shane Martinez (1-2), Gabriel Anaya (triple), Henry Martinez (1-2) and CF and Pitcher David Molino was 2-2 with a walk and scored three runs.  

At 10:00 AM TBS #1 Oklahoma Elite took on TBS #17 American Avengers III from Texas. For the Avengers Joseph Panelez and Quincy McAfee combined to pitch 5 innings but the big bats for the Elite and the strong arms of Conner Uselton and Keone Givens were too much for the Avengers. The Elite went on to win 7-1. 

On Friday at 8:00 AM the Tomateros went on to defeat their cross town rivals the TBS #7 OC Black Sox 10-2 and again on Saturday 4-1. The Oklahoma Elite also played at 8:00 AM on Friday facing the Lamorinda Monarchs from Northern California. The #1 ranked team would make short work of the Monarchs defeating them 9-0 and again by the same score on Saturday. 

This would set up the highly anticipated game between the Oklahoma Elite and the Tomateros de California. The Elite put up a good fight but in the end the Tomateros were too much and would go on to win by a score of 8-2. Next up for the Tomateros is the winner of the TBS #11 Texas Nationals Team and TBS #19 Banditos Black, also from Texas.

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