2017 PCBL AAA-Division Spring Championship
August 6, 2017 @ CSUN
Regulators (12-4-1) -vs- Team Easton (13-3-1)
Photos
 

Cal State Northridge was in prime condition for the 2017 Triple A Spring Championship game between the Regulators and Team Easton.  Neither team had ever won a AAA championship, and being a matchup between the top offensive squad (Regulators) and the top pitching squad (Team Easton), anything could happen!

 

Martin Orozco Jr took the mound for Team Easton and worked a quiet top of the 1st.  Chris Zakosek started for the Regulators, but was immediately met with adversity.  With one out, Alex Dinsmore reached on an error.  Zach Wiley singled, but Zakosek quickly picked off Dinsmore.  Rudy Rizo then singled, but his designated runner was picked off first by Zakosek to end the threat.

 

 

Both pitchers worked quietly through the 2nd, and the Regulators drew first blood in the top of the 3rd.  Kevin Jeppson and Greg Granillo reached on back-to-back singles, and Dylan Pereira reached on an error, knocking in one.  After Pereira swiped second, Butch Zakosek knocked in the pair, giving the Regulators a 3-0 lead.

 

Team Easton responded in the bottom of the 4th.  After 2 quick outs, Zack Wiley singled after a 9 pitch at bat.  Rudy Rizo doubled him home on the first pitch he saw, and Martin Orozco Jr followed suit and doubled him home on the first pitch HE saw.  Not to buck a trend, Ryan Campbell singled home Orozco on the first pitch HE saw, and after 4 full innings, we're all tied up at 3.

 

 

The Regulators came right back in the top of the 5th.  Dylan Pereira singled and stole second, took third on a wild pitch, then scored on a Butch Zakosek single.  Brandon Hedding and Trevor Nathanson singled to load the bases, and with 1 out, Kyle Granillo brought home Pereira on a fielder's choice.  Martin Orozco Jr got out of the jam by inducing a 6-4-3 double play, but the Regulators once again led 5-3.

 

In the bottom of the 5th, Leo Amari led off with a double, scoring on an error off the bat of Roberto Clemente Orozco, who quickly stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch.  With one out, Curtis Anderson grounded out and brought home Orozco, tying the game back up at 5.

 

 

The Regulators looked to go quietly in the top of the 6th, having 2 outs after 2 pitches.  But with 2 strikes, Dylan Pereira got hit by a pitch.  Butch Zakosek worked a full count walk, and Brandon Hedding brought home one after reaching on an error.  Trevor Nathanson walked, and Danny Platt followed with a 3-run double, chasing Martin Orozco Jr from the game.  Ryan Campbell relieved, and was met by a Kyle Granillo double to bring home Platt, and after batting around, the Regulators led 10-5.

 

Many teams would have hung their heads and played out their season quietly, but not Team Easton.  In the bottom of the 6th, Alex Dinsmore led off with a single.  After a strikeout, Rudy Rizo singled, and Martin Orozco Jr singled home Dinsmore.  Ryan Campbell tripled into right center, plating a pair, and Lou Huerta brought home Campbell on an error.  After 6 full innings, the Regulators led 10-9.

 

Campbell worked a quiet 7th, and Butch Zakosek came in to pitch in the bottom of the 7th for the Regulators.  Casey Gergen singled and Evan Stienmetz bunted him to second.  Leadoff man Joe Goring doubled him home, tying up the game 10-10!

 

Campbell worked a quiet 8th as well, with a little defensive help from his shortstop, who made a great play to keep the score tied.  With the momentum clearly in Team Easton's favor, the stage was set for an exciting finish.

 

With one out in the bottom of the 8th, Martin Orozco Jr singled, eventually scoring on a Ryan Campbell single.  Heading into the top of the 9th, Team Easton led 11-10.

 

 

 

After a quick out, Eric Johnson singled.  But after another quick out and their 9-hitter at the plate, things looked dismal for the Regulators.  Greg Granillo worked a walk, bringing up Dylan Pereira.  With deuces wild (2 on, 2 strikes and 2 outs), Pereira did the unthinkable - lined a double into right center to re-take the lead!  Butch Zakosek singled him home to take a 13-11 lead.  The rally would have continued, if not for a great play by Team Easton's second baseman, who made a diving play in the hole to retire the side.

 

 

Butch Zakosek got 2 quick outs in the bottom of the 9th, when Casey Gergen singled.  But on the next pitch, a fly ball to (who else) Dylan Pereira capped off the game, giving the Regulators their first PCBL AAA championship!

 

 

An outstanding battle between 2 great teams, this one went down to the wire.  Congrats to Team Easton on an outstanding season, but this year belonged to the Regulators - your 2017 AAA Spring champions!