By Alden Gonzalez

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Going into the National Youth Baseball Championships at Gameday’s First Tennessee Fields, the Tomateros de California’s offensive prowess was well-documented. 

On Friday afternoon against the Kenner All-Stars from Louisiana, they showed why. The Tomateros pounded out 16 hits and scored 13 runs in the top of the third en route to an easy 22-3 win in four innings, improving to 2-0 in the 10-and-under division of the inaugural tournament.

The NYBC pins together the top team in eight different youth baseball organizations in two different age groups – 10-and-under and 12-and-under. The Tomateros are representing the USSSA, and the Kenner All-Stars are from the Babe Ruth League.

“The kids hit the ball good, batted with much discipline, and we scored a lot of runs,” Tomateros head coach Joe Ruiz said. “They know every game we come in, we never take anybody easy. It’s always a challenge, so they come in ready to battle.”

The Tomateros, No. 2 in the latest Travel Ball Select 10-and-under rankings, started off the game with four runs off four straight hits in the first inning. Three singles started it, and Bryan “Big Mac” Duenas came through with a two-run double to give his team the early lead.

Then, in the second, Duenas came through again, this time with a two-run homer to make it a 6-3 game. Dominic Fletcher then followed suit with a two-run double to cap a five-run inning before an offensive explosion in the third that sealed the deal.

On the mound, Fletcher was the winning pitcher, tossing the first two innings and giving up three runs on four strikeouts.

The Tomateros cruised in this one, but it likely won’t be this easy the rest of the way. Up next, at 6 p.m. CT, they’ll face a much more formidable opponent in the Tamiami Playmakers from Miami, ranked No. 17.

“We have to adjust because they’re a good team, and the pitching is going to be a little stronger,” Ruiz said. “We’ll come out here, hit some balls before the game and throw a little faster to the kids because [their pitching] will affect us.”

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