By Sean Reilly
When a team generates 45 hits in four games, while scoring 42 runs en route to a Diamond Nation tournament championship, it might be difficult for a coaching staff to single out one player to be the recipient of the tournament Most Valuable Player award.
That decision could have been a dilemma for Makina Select 12U coaching staff after the Newark team rolled to the championship of the 12U Fall Classic on Sunday afternoon. But one player played so well over the weekend, particularly in the final game, that the choice was rather easy.
Andryull Rodriguez was the selection after he hit a two-run home run to launch a six-run top of the first inning when Makina Select 12U beat Hustle Baseball, 16-4, for the championship.
Rodriguez went on to go 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBI as part of his team’s 18-hit attack in the final.
For the tournament, he was 7-for-9, with eight runs and nine RBI. He hit three home runs and also added a double.
His championship showing came immediately after he also hit a two-run home run in the first inning of a 12-0 semifinal win over Dodgers Nation-Redash, which avenged a 7-6 pool play loss on Saturday.
“It was good to give us a lead right away,” he said. “The pitch was inside and low, which is how I like it. It’s also amazing to get the MVP. I’m grateful.”
The big first inning in the final began with Owen Feliz hitting a single to center and then stealing second base before the next batter struck out.
Rodriguez then sent the first pitch of his at-bat over the fence in left-center field to continue his overall hot streak.
“I’m feeling good up there now,” he said.
The inning continued with a single from Jonas Victoria before he moved to second on a ground out. Romeo Sillas followed with an RBI single to center. Vinny Altieri hit a single to center which moved Sillas to third. Mason Rincon walked to load the bases before Rui Gutierrez hit a three-run double to left center.
Hustle Baseball scored a run in the second after Ansh Jariwala led off with a single and later scored on error.
Andryull Rodriguez of Makina Select 12U was named 12U Fall Classic Most Valuable Player.
Makina Select countered with two runs in the third for an 8-1 lead.
Rodriguez led off with a walk. Victoria, who finished 4-for-4, singled him to second, and after an out, Sillas hit an RBI double to center. Altieri then hit a sacrifice fly to right field.
Hustle Baseball threatened in the fourth, after walks to Anthony Camacho-Osorio and Randy Fan and a single by Chase Pinto loaded the bases with one out. Jariwala followed with a two-run double to center, and Griffin Luhrman hit an RBI ground out to second.
Makina Select extended its lead in the fifth after Feliz led off with a double to center and scored on a two-out single from Victoria.
Makina Select capped things by scoring seven runs in the six, highlighted by RBI singles from Matthew Guaba, Landon Genao and Chase Klimkowski, as well as a two-run double from Rodriguez.
In addition to the four RBI from Rodriguez and four hits from Victoria, Sillas also went 4-for-4 for Makina Select.
“We did a great job this weekend,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes we were down, but we got right back up. We have a couple of weeks left, and we’re definitely looking to make the most of it.”