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Montebello Angels 21, East Bay Express 6
Submitted by Robert Oskin, manager
Las Vegas, NV — The Montebello Angels made a strong statement at the MSBL Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas, battling through a competitive field to bring home the championship trophy after an impressive weekend of baseball.
The Angels opened tournament play in dominant fashion, winning their first two games. Luis Lira set the tone with a complete-game performance in an 11–5 victory. In the second matchup, Yosjan Brizuelas delivered a standout outing, throwing a complete-game shutout as Montebello cruised to a commanding 20–0 win.
On Sunday, the Angels suffered their first setback, dropping a tightly contested game 4–3. However, the team quickly regrouped. Behind another complete-game effort from Mario Rodarte, Montebello bounced back with a convincing 10–3 victory over the Las Vegas Rattlers.
Due to tournament seeding, the Angels were forced into a rematch with the Rattlers on Monday. Montebello turned to Tony Cabrera to start the game, as he matched up against a strong opposing pitcher in Vic Darensbourg. After defensive miscues and timely hits from the opposition led to a mid-game deficit, Brizuelas once again took the mound in relief. His shutdown pitching allowed the Angels to rally and secure a 9–6 comeback win.
The victory set up a championship showdown against the undefeated East Bay Express. Montebello wasted no time taking control, jumping out to a 10–1 lead. Although East Bay mounted a late push to narrow the gap, the Angels stayed composed. Peter Cervantes closed out the game on the mound, sealing a decisive 21–6 championship triumph.
Offensively, the Angels received contributions throughout the lineup. Every player played a role in the team’s success, with standout hitting performances from Lalo Saldivar, Mario Rodarte, Ruben Hernandez, Brandon Hedding, Peter Cervantes, Frank Marquez, and Frank Rodriguez.
For his dominant presence on the mound and multiple pitching victories, Yosjan Brizuelas was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Team leadership also played a key role in the Angels’ success. Team veterans Louie Gonzalez, Mike Alcala, and Rey Del Campo were recognized for their efforts in helping keep the team organized, focused, and prepared throughout the demanding tournament schedule.
“Despite the challenges of maintaining a competitive roster and navigating a tough bracket, the Montebello Angels proved their resilience and unity. With a championship secured and momentum on our side, we now look ahead with confidence and excitement for the season to come.”