Rams open tournament with close win

Maricopa started off the sixth annual Matt Huffman Tournament by beating Casa Grande 6-5 in five innings today.

Because of limited field space and the large number of teams in the tournament, each game is limited to 90 minutes of play. As a result the Rams won in the bottom of the fifth after the go ahead run scored.

The Cougars opened the game by scoring a run off pitcher Matt Clark in the first inning. The Rams answered in the bottom half of the inning by scoring two runs of their own to take the lead. After a scoreless second inning the Cougars regained the lead in the third by scoring two runs on a Maricopa throwing error with two outs.

In the bottom half of the inning left fielder Matt Fieros hit a single to the left side of the infield. After stealing second and third base, Fierros scored on a single by catcher Cody Seymore to tie the game at three.

For the fifth time in four innings the lead changed in the top of the fourth when the Cougars rallied to score one run off a double to center and another on a sacrifice fly. Maricopa scored one run when Armando Cano singled bringing in Boston Friel in its half of the inning but was unable to get any more to regain the lead.

Maricopa managed to stay out of trouble in the top of the fifth, getting out of the inning without allowing a run to score. The Rams walked Seymore and earned another RBI by hitting a single to left bringing in Fierros. Later in the inning Justin Zabawa hit a single to right to score Seymore and give the Rams a 6-5 lead. Time expired seconds later ending the game and giving Maricopa the win.

The tournament continues throughout the day today, Friday and Saturday with the single-game elimination bracket starting Friday. Games are at Maricopa High School and the Ak-Chin Recreation Facility.

	1	2	3	4	5	Final
Casa Grande	1	0	2	2	0	5
Maricopa	2	0	1	1	2	6

If you go:
What: Matt Huffman Baseball Tournament
When: All day Thursday and Friday; Saturday morning
Where: Maricopa High School 45012 W. Honeycutt Ave.; and the Ak-Chin Recreation Facility
Cost: Free

Photo by Katie Winkley