Talladega Places Dillard in the Loser's Bracket of the Championship Tournament
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
|
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4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | X | 17 | 10 | 1 |
May 1, 2025, Little Rock, Ark. – In a commanding display of offense and pitching precision, Talladega (AL) dismantled Dillard (LA) with a decisive 17-1 victory in a matchup held at Dickey Stephens Park. Talladega's dominance was evident from the start as they improved their season record to an impressive 40-12, while Dillard struggled at 26-22.
Talladega's lineup came alive, driven by standout performances across the board. Ignacio Guzman was a key player, driving in four runs, and showcasing his power with a two-run triple in the second inning. Guzman's prowess was evident as he capitalized on Dillard's defensive lapses, including scoring on a passed ball.
Victor Rivera and Jose Cruz also made significant contributions. Rivera's RBI single in the third inning extended Talladega's lead, while Cruz's consistent pressure added two RBIs to his name. The home team's aggressive baserunning paid off with seven stolen bases, spreading chaos for Dillard's defense, which committed four errors.
Dillard's defensive woes were a significant storyline, with K'Wality Williams and Jaylen Mateo committing crucial errors. These mistakes compounded the challenges faced by their pitching staff, which combined for 14 walks and handed out multiple unearned runs. Pitcher Kejuan Burnett, despite early struggles, took the loss with two earned runs over 1.1 innings.
The matchup saw Talladega setting the pace from the first inning, countering an early home run by Dillard's Angel Polanco. Talladega scored four runs in the opening frame and continued to pile on, including a five-run sixth inning that sealed the game. Talladega capitalized on Dillard's lapses, converting errors and wild pitches into runs, demonstrating why they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
This victory reinforces Talladega's dominance in the league, while Dillard will need to regroup and address both their defensive and pitching inefficiencies. The game completed in 2 hours and 55 minutes behind closed doors.
-Bleu Devils-