CARY, N.C. - Banditos Black scored four runs in the second and survived a late rally to advance to the 2019 11U Futures Invitational Championship with a 4-2 win over San Diego Show on Saturday at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina.
Lucas Tinajero earned the win on the mound for Banditos Black (4-0) after holding the San Diego Show's offense to one run on five hits in 6.1 innings, while striking out 11. Colton Gilbert registered the save after pitching the final 0.2 innings. Denton Hester suffered for the San Diego Show (2-2), allowing four runs on seven hits in his 5.1 innings of work.
Marcus Cantu led Banditos Black at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Nathan Keyes went 2-for-4 on the day on the day to pace the San Diego Show. Brenden Lewis and Kayden Henson recorded an RBI each for the San Diego Show.
Key Moments:
- Banditos Black took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second after Marcus Cantu scored on a passed ball and William Power hit single to center field to bring home Davis Lee.
- The Banditos Black extended its lead to 4-0 in the next at-bat as Colton Gilbert hit a two-RBI double to left field.
- San Diego Show got on the board in the top of the sixth after Brenden Lewis scored on a fielder's choice double play to cut the lead to 4-1.
- Down to their last out, San Diego Show mounted a comeback attempt after loading the bases with a single and two walks.
- Lewis would then draw a walk to plate Henson, but a fly out to deep-center field ended sent Banditos Black to the championship game with a 4-2 win.
Notable Information:
- Lucas Tinajero (1-0) earned the win on the mound for Banditos Black, striking out 11 in 6.1 innings.
- San Diego Show's starting pitcher Denton Hester (0-1) suffered the loss.
- Banditos Black advanced to Sunday's championship game and will face the winner of MVP Hustle and Top Tier Americans.
- San Diego Show will take on the loser of the second semifinal matchup between MVP Hustle and Top Tier Americans in the bronze medal game.
On Deck:
- The Futures Invitational will conclude on Sunday at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina.
- The final day of play is highlighted by a championship and bronze medal game and will also feature six consolation games.
- USA Baseball will stream two games on USABaseball.com on Saturday, beginning with the bronze medal game at 8:30 a.m. and the championship game at 11:15 a.m. Fans can watch the games live here or by visiting USA Baseball on Facebook.
Social
- Stay tuned to @USABFutures on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the Futures Invitational.