Rude Pac beats Pala, advances for shot at loser’s bracket final at NAFA “A” World Series
QUAD CITIES, IA/IL – Rude Pac of So. Calif. held on for a 3-2 win over fellow So. California neighbor the Pala Braves in Sunday morning losers bracket play.
The win moves Rude Pac (5-1) against Wright Way Tree Service of Michigan, which beat Priority Mortgage, also of Michigan, 9-3. The winner of this game advances to play Oscar’s of Omaha later today in the losers bracket final.
Rude Pac got a complete game from Ron Mizener, who struck out five, while allowing two runs on seven hits.
With the score tied two-all in the fourth, Rude Pac scored the winning run on Scott Pulcifer’s sacrifice fly to deep right field that scored Dave Demaio, who led of the inning with walk.
Rude Pac dropped a tough decision to Bowen Fastpitch of Illinois in the winners bracket final on an error. But manager and sponsor, Rudy Montanez likes the way his ball club has rebounded from that tough loss.
“We have confidence,” said Montanez, who formed the ball club in 2005. “It didn’t shake us up or rattle us. We just picked each other up. This is the most complete ball club I’ve had in a long time.”
Rude Pac scored two runs in the third to take the early lead on Chris Paiva’s triple that scored David Carrillo, who reached safely on a single. Paiva later scored on a passed ball for the second run.
The Braves scored one run in the fourth on Marcus Orozco’s home run, and added their final run in the sixth on Eloy Montoyo’s RBI single.
Pala (8-2) finishes the 44-team tournament tied for fifth with Priority Mortgage.
Pala had Jason Obregon and Cody Maxcy selected to the All-World team, along with pitcher Nate Dondero who won seven games and was selected Co-Most Valuable Pitcher.
Editor’s note: Since this story ran, Rude Pac won their next game, 7-6 over Wright Way of Michigan. They are now 6-1 and will play Oscar’s of Omaha later today in the losers bracket final of NAFA “A” World Series.