2017 35+ National

Montebello Angels 8, Chicago Woodpeckers 3

Submitted by Robert Oskin, Angels manager

‘It’s a 4-peat for Montebello Angels’

It was exciting times for the Angels who were meeting the Woodpeckers in the Championship three out of the last four years at the MSBL Kickoff Classic in Vegas. This time they called upon ex-minor leaguer Andy Torres to lead the way in the championship game. After giving up two runs in the first inning it was pretty much lights out from there. He settled down and got into his grove. They scored one more in the ninth but he ended up throwing a 7-hitter with eight k’s.

The Woodpeckers came out with ex-independent pitcher Brian Henschel who was throwing in the high 80’s but after the first time around the order the Angels were able to get his timing down and scored three in the third inning, one in the fourth and two in the fifth, which lead to his departure. The Angels then added one more in the seventh and two in the eighth.

Kenny Lumpkin finished 3 for 4 with an RBI, Mario Chavarin was 2 for 4 with one run scored and an RBI, Jaime Galindo had a strong game going 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Hitting behind him was Frank Rodriguez who was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice, a run scored and an rbi. Daniel Arruda had one hit, two walks and two runs scored. Ivan Valencia and Junior Esparza also added to the victory with two hits, an RBI and a run scored each.

Over all it was a great tourney and this year’s format was really good. Sergio Hernadez once again led the Angels off to victory in the first game winning and Bobby Yanez followed up the second game with a win. Both pitchers threw complete games.

Ken Lumpkin led the team going 13 for 17, seven runs scored and 12 RBI’s, including one dinger. Overall the team just played great and stepped up when needed in the Championship game. Andy (Torres) has been a great friend of ours for many years. He’s played with us and against us but our team knew with him going on the mound for us that our odds definitely were looking good. He’s still one of the best pitchers in Southern California and we just knew he would keep us in the game and give us a great chance to win and thankfully it came out our way for him…and for us!