2012 35 Central

35 central division champion Arizona Angels

Arizona Angels 5, Puget Sound Gators 1

By Gabe Chavez, MSBLNational.com

Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Nov. 3, 2012– Most valuable player David Hostetter threw a complete game while adding two hits at the plate as the Arizona Angels defeated the Puget Sound Gators 5-1 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The win for the Angels was their second title in this year’s MSBL World Series. They also claimed the 18 Wood Bat Central division crown on Oct. 21 at Maryvale.

Hostetter struck out seven and got help from a solid defensive effort by battery mate Juan Dorado. Hostetter was 2-for-3 on the day with an RBI and one run scored, while Marvin Hernandez, Ricardo Castro, and Ryan Martinez each contributed two hits apiece for the winners.

The game was scoreless until the third inning when Angels right fielder Eric Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to score Martinez. They added to the lead in the fourth inning when losing pitcher Josh Patterson balked in Hostetter from third base. Patterson threw well while striking out four, walking three, and hitting one batter in the complete game loss.

“I asked the ump to get help [on the balk],” said assistant coach Joseph Townsend, “but he said that he started his windup before disengaging with his right foot.”

The Gators earned two timely victories in the quarter and semi-final games by beating the UT/AZ Rockies, 10-7, and outscoring the Seattle Brewers, 19-12, on Tempe #1. As the top seed, the Angels had a first round bye and then squeaked by the Chicago North Cubs, 8-7, in their semi-final contest to reach the championship game. Both the Gators and Angels were evenly matched as they tied, 22-22, in pool play competition.

The Gators mounted a threat in the seventh inning. Designated hitter Scott Miller reached on a walk, Townsend followed with a single, and right fielder Brian Lydell loaded the bases on an attempted sacrifice bunt that turned into an infield single. Miller scored the Gator’s only run on an error by Angel shortstop Hernandez off the bat of Drew Vertes. Hostetter settled down after that and escaped further damage.

“Their pitcher was lights out,” said Gator manager Tom Krause. “We just didn’t get it done when we needed. We hit well in come-from-behind wins yesterday, but the bats were silent today. [I’ve] got to hand it to him [Hostetter] because we’re a good hitting team.”

The Angels tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth inning when Hernandez singled to drive in Martinez who reached on an infield single and stole second base. Hernandez quickly stole second based and scored when Gator catcher Matt Mega threw the ball into center field in attempt to retire Hernandez.