Sabana Grande sweeps Yauco to win Southwest Section title

The Petateros of Sabana Grande rallied for six runs in the ninth inning to beat the Cafeteros of Yauco 11-8 and complete a series sweep to win the Double-A Southwest Section title on Saturday.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Petateros of Sabana Grande rallied for six runs in the ninth inning on Saturday to complete a series sweep and were crowned the new Southwest Section champions after defeating the Cafeteros of Yauco 11-8 as part of a slate of seven games in Superior Double-A Baseball League postseason play.

With the 4-0 sweep at Mario “Ñato” Ramírez Stadium in Yauco, Sabana Grande became the first team to qualify for the 2026 “Carnaval de Campeones” (Champions’ Tournament). The Petateros are undefeated in the postseason with a 7-0 record.

Although the Cafeteros led 8-5 in the ninth, the Petateros stormed back in the top of the inning to clinch their first sectional title since 2016. Juan Rodríguez pitched two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win for Sabana Grande, while Jesús Ramos worked the bottom of the ninth to record the save.

Ángel Lasalle drove in three runs with two hits for the Petateros. Steven Carrero, Joshua López and Jessy de la Cruz each scored two runs.

In the East Section, the Mulos of Juncos moved to the brink of repeating as section champions by defeating the Artesanos of Las Piedras, 5-2. Star left-hander Luis Cintrón pitched 6.1 innings, Kenny Burgos earned the save, and Jan Rivera hit a home run for Juncos.

In the Metro Section, the Gigantes of Carolina moved within one win of the title by beating the Guardianes of Dorado, 4-1, backed by Héctor “Heto” Acevedo’s 10 strikeouts over 8.1 innings.

In the North, the Tigres of Hatillo routed the Titanes of Florida, 14-2, moving closer to their first sectional championship. Hatillo leads the series 3-1. Right-hander Rawell Rivera pitched eight innings to earn the win for Hatillo, while Jonathan Nieves drove in three runs and Erick Espinosa scored three.

In the South, the Maratonistas of Coamo got back on track by routing the Peces Voladores of Salinas, 16-2. Coamo leads the series 3-1 as they look to reclaim the sectional title after a seven-year drought. Ángel “Potoco” Flores led the Coamo offense with three RBIs, while Fernando Amaro and Melvin Reyes each scored three runs.

In the Central Section, the Pescadores del Plata of Comerío avoided a sweep by crushing the Toritos of Cayey, 12-2, backed by seven strong innings from left-hander Héctor Hernández, a home run by Yadiel Rivera, and three RBIs by José “Pocholo” Rivera. The Toritos lead the series 3-1.

In the Northwest, the Libertadores of Hormigueros notched their second win to tie the series, defeating the Patrulleros of San Sebastián, 4-3, behind 6.2 innings from left-hander Omar Meléndez. Marvin Galarza pitched the remainder of the game and earned the save. Ramón Agosto drove in two runs and Carlos Vicente scored twice for Hormigueros.