2019 50+ Cactus Consolation

Madison Angels 21, Tulsa Liners 2

By Tom Pomatto, special to MSBL

The Madison Angels broke open a tight game by scoring 14 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to coast to a 21-2 victory and the 50 Cactus Consolation Championship over the Tulsa Liners at Salt River Fields.  

Tulsa opened the scoring as Gary Simpson doubled in Albert Martinez in the top of the first inning.  Madison quickly answered with three runs in the bottom of the first on five hits, the key blow being a two-run single by Jerry Hinds.  The Liners added a run in the second inning, making the score 3-2, and it stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Angels erupted for six runs.  The top three hitters in the Angels lineup (Schultz, Heyer, and Hoff) all reached base, and then Liners pitcher Jeff Goodnight hit Pelayo with a pitch forcing in a run.  Rich Brito followed with a 3-run double making the score 7-2, and the end for Goodnight.  The Angels were only getting started as they added eight more runs on six hits in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

Rich Brito went all the way for the win, shutting out the Liners over the final seven innings in a sparkling performance.  Brito scattered eight hits, struck out two, and walked two.  He was aided by a stellar Angel defense, particularly the glove of Jerry Hinds at third base.

The Angels clobbered five Liners pitchers for 24 hits, led by Mike Heyer and Jeff Hoff with five hits each. Brito had four RBI on the day, Don Jensen three RBI, and Heyer, Hinds and Mitchell two RBI each.

Jeff Goodnight took the loss for the Liners, as Tony Hunsucker was the only bright spot for the Liner offense with two hits.