Juncos, Coamo & Hatillo advance to ‘Carnival of Champions’

Jaime Ayende pitched three scoreless innings in relief to help the Tigres of Hatillo reach the Superior Double-A Baseball League’s “Carnival of Champions” for the first time. 

By THE STAR STAFF

The Mulos of Juncos, Maratonistas of Coamo and Tigres of Hatillo clinched spots in the Superior Double-A Baseball League’s “Carnival of Champions” on Sunday.

Juncos repeated as East Section champions for the third-straight year by crushing the Artesanos of Las Piedras, 12-1. After losing the sectional semifinal series opener, the Mulos won four straight games to eliminate the Artesanos, who had posted the section’s best regular-season record at 18-2.

Dereck Rodríguez pitched six innings for Juncos, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out six to earn the win. Amauri Rodríguez and Fabián Santana led the offense with three RBIs each.

The victory marked the 24th sectional championship for the Mulos -- the most section titles in Double-A history.

In the South, the Maratonistas dethroned the Peces Voladores of Salinas with a comfortable 16-9 victory, ending Salinas’ five-year reign.

Melvin Reyes hit two home runs and drove in seven runs for Coamo, while William Rivera went 4-for-6 with five RBIs as the Maratonistas won their first sectional title since 2019.

In the North, the Tigres made history by winning their first sectional championship with a 10-8 victory over the Titanes of Florida. Jay Feliciano drove in three runs, and Fernando García went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI for Hatillo. Jaime Ayende pitched three scoreless innings in relief to stave off a Florida comeback and secure the win.

A franchise established in 2006, Hatillo will be making its first appearance in the Carnival of Champions.

Meanwhile, the Pescadores del Plata of Comerío and the Guardianes of Dorado extended their respective series with victories. Both teams faced must-win situations to keep their seasons alive. In the Central Section, the Pescadores del Plata won for the second consecutive time, shutting out the Toritos of Cayey 3-0. The Toritos still lead the best-of-seven series 3-2. Bryan Ortiz pitched the first six innings, allowing just four hits, while star left-hander Luis Leroy Cruz took over from there, striking out four batters. Comerío’s three runs came on a home run by Yadiel Rivera in the top of the third inning.

In the Metro Section, the Guardianes routed the Gigantes of Carolina, 13-3, backed by seven scoreless innings from Andrés Santiago, who struck out seven and allowed only two hits. Joseph Monge drove in three runs, and Edgar Corcino scored three. The Gigantes lead the series 3-2.