The Host Farmington Cardinals defeated Arecibo Lobos from Puerto Rico in dramtic fashion on opening night of the 2011 Connie Mack World Series. The final score was Cardinals 6 and the Lobos 3.
Puerto Rico scored a run in the third. Alejandro Beltran singled and stole second. He later scored on an error by starting Cardinal pitcher Dominic Moreno. Puerto Rico scored two more runs in the fifth inning. Beltran again scored leading off with a single and scored on a single by Emmanuel Colon. Colon scored thanks to an error by Cardinal third baseman Joe Cervantes.
Farmington was scoreless going in the top of the seventh down 3-0 but then exploded. Center fielder Shilo McCall began things with a double to right center field. After a walk to Damion Lovato, Shane Woodson singled loading the bases with no outs. Cervantes made up for his error in the third by ripping a double to the left center field wall that cleared the bases knotting the score at 3 a piece. Kholeton Sanchez walked which then set the table for the Cardinal’s designated hitter Dillon Bibo to hit a sky high shot over the right field wall, the first home run of the series.
With the Cardinals ahead 6 to 3, starting pitcher Moreno then took over shutting the Lobos down in the bottom of the seventh inning pitching a complete game allowing three runs on five hits.
Lobo starting pitcher Alexander Gonzales took the loss going six innings allowing four of the Cardinal six runs.
The Lobos next play in the loser bracket at 5:15 Sunday against the loser of the Midland Redskins and the Danville Hoots.
The Cardinals play Monday at 7:30 against the South Troy Dodgers.
