Camuy outslugs Cayey to capture its first Double A title
By The Star Staff
The Arenosos de Camuy became the champions of the Double A Superior Baseball League on Sunday night, defeating the Toritos de Cayey 12-6 at Pedro Montañez Stadium in Camuy.
For the fourth consecutive year, the tournament champion was decided in a seventh game. Camuy ended a long wait since the founding of the franchise in 1957 and Cayey fell short in its bid to win back-to-back titles for the first time.
“We were on the brink of elimination seven or eight times,” Arenosos manager-player Dennis Pérez said after the game. “This is a team with character and a lot of desire. We are enjoying this national championship and we are very grateful.”
Camuy grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a five-run burst. The Toritos led 3-1 going into the stanza, but everything changed after a costly error by third baseman Nelson Molina on a grounder by Noel Cuevas, which resulted in the Arenosos’ second run. Then a single by Víctor Claudio tied the game.
A single by Pérez combined with an error by outfielder Christian Torres helped load the bases, and a double by Bryan Collazo gave Camuy a 6-3 lead.
In the sixth inning, Camuy extended its lead to 9-3 and then added three more runs in the eighth to make it 12-3. The Toritos tried to rally, but mustered only three runs for the final tally.
Claudio went 3 for 4 in the game with three RBIs and a run scored. He was named Most Valuable Player of the series. Additionally, Cuevas had two hits and scored four runs.
Left-hander Henry Iglesias got the win in relief, working 4.1 innings. He allowed two hits and a run with four strikeouts. Christian Bonilla took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits in 1.2 innings.
After the game, Puerto Rico Baseball Federation President Dr. José Daniel Quiles presented the championship trophy to manager Ángel Sotomayor. He was accompanied by the federation vice president, Carlos Príncipe, and executive director, Efraín Williams.