The Midland Explorers and New York Gremlins posted opening night wins at Joe Wronek Field at Erie Pennsylvania, over a solid Argentina Jr. National squad.
The Argentine Jrs. took a 3-1 lead into the 6th against the #8 ranked Midland Explorers, behind the pitching and bat of Memu Mata. Mata drove in two runs early with a single to left and held the Explorers in check into the 6th. Mata was lifted after surrendering a lead off walk, and the momentum swung to the Explorers. Adam La Londe homered and singled for the Explorers, who tied the game at 6 in the 6th. A scoreless 7th for both teams lead to the international tie breaker. The visitors Midland scored a run on an RBI single by Dan Loney, and then put the game away on a towering two run homer by Dale Levy, with the final, 6-2.
The kids from Argentina had no respite, coming right back in the nightcap to face the number 1 ranked team in the world, fresh off of their ASA Men’s Major National Championship in Ashland Ohio last week. Mattheiu Roy picked up where he left off (MVP at Ashland), homering to straight away center to start the game. Blair Ezekiel crushed a double and Jeremy Tracey hit the outfield fence with a triple, and the Gremlins scored two runs, all they would need on the evening. They added two more for the 4-0 final.
Mathieu Roy and Pat Shannon each had two hits on the evening.
Full box score, courtesy of NY Gremlins popular “PointStreak” online scorebook:’
The Argentine Jr. Nationals faced fellow Argentine Juan Pottolicchio (a member of the Argentine Sr. National team), who was picked up by NY for the weekend, to replace Brian Newton, who was unable to make the tournament. Pottolicchio started and threw three scoreless, with Bill Hillhouse picked up the win, throwing 4 scoreless.
The tournament continues in full swing on Saturday, with elimination semis and final on Sunday.
The Argentina Jr. National team impressed the local fans, with some stellar defense, and strong pitching, including Memu Mata (younger brother of Lucas), Martin Gonzalez, and Pablo Migliavacca who finished four strong innings in the nightcap, surrendering only one run, a solo home run by Pat Shannon. The Jrs. played with more confidence on Friday night than their opener on Thursday night, an exhibition loss to the local Budweiser all starts led by Frankie Perez, Sergio La Hoz and Blair Ezekiel. The Jrs. appeared to have an upset brewing, but the veteran Michigan squad weathered the storm and did what veteran teams do, hung in until they got their opportunity and made the most of it.