Dariel Carrion homered and scored twice, including the game-winning run, as Guaynabo, PR edged Tijuana, MX, 2-1, in the PONY League World Series championship game Wednesday night. Carrion opened the score with a solo home run to dead center field in the fourth inning. Marlon Melendrez, Jr. answered with a solo shot for Tijuana in the top of the fifth. The game stayed 1-1 into the bottom of the ninth inning. After one out, Carrion doubled sharply to right-center and scored on Jehiel Hernandez’ World Series walk-off groundball single to right.
Tied going to the sixth, Tijuana had a great chance to take the lead. Bryan Espinoza singled to right and went to second when the ball was misplayed. When his celebration at second led him to lift his foot off the base, he was tagged out. Emiliano Contreras followed with a double but was thrown out trying to score on a ground ball into rightfield. Tijuana managed only one more baserunner the rest of the game. Guaynabo, on the other hand, sent only one batter over the minimum from the fifth through the eighth innings.
Akilis Rivera got the win in relief, tossing four shutout innings, allowing just three hits. Carlos Pardo took the loss after coming on to open the ninth.
The championship is the eighth all-time for Puerto Rico, the first since Trujillo Alto won in 2007. Tijuana was seeking Mexico’s first championship since 1972.
Guaynabo’s Sebastian Quiles claimed the Easton Sports ERA award, working seven innings without allowing an earned run. Alex Leon, Palmview, TX claimed the Wilson Sports Goods Batting Championship, going 5-for-8, a .625 average. The Rogers BreakAway Bases Stolen Base title went to Misael Acosta from Bronx, NY. Bryan Schmeltz won the John D. Voytek Memorial Award as Washington County’s leading hitter, going 7-for-15, a .467 average. Annaleigh Brown was crowned PONY Princess with Chloe Morgan named PONY Hostess.
Prior to the title game, PONY Baseball and Softball and Tournaments, Incorporated recognized WJPA’s Mark Uriah who has been the “Radio Voice of the PONY World Series” since 1984. Uriah retired from his sports work following the game.