FARMINGTON – The Dulins Dodgers National Team scored six runs in the opening frame, then added to their offensive assault with 12 runs in the fourth inning on their way to an 18-1 rout over the Albuquerque Baseball Academy in Thursday night’s fourth round of the Connie Mack World Series.
The win means the Nationals, last year’s CMWS champions, have staved off elimination for the third straight day. After losing 7-5 to the NW 509 Stars in the opening game on Monday, the Nationals have won three straight, outscoring their opponents 35-5 in the process.
The Nationals wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Spencer Browning’s 2-run triple as well as a 2-run single by Jace Elrod headlined the opening frame, which saw 11 batters come to the plate.
ABA starting pitcher Luke Watkins was pulled after two-thirds of an inning, surrendering four runs on three hits and a walk before Gunnar Guardiola was brought in from the bullpen.
Kyle Murphy scored the ABA’s only run of the night when he was driven in off a single by Chase Qualler in the bottom of the second inning. The ABA left a pair of runners on base before they could trim the gap any further.
Things quickly went sour for the ABA in the top of the fourth inning. Christian May’s bases-clearing double scored Carson Sharp, Ashtew Ballew and Browning. By the time the dust had settled, Guardiola was replaced on the hill by Josh Riordan and the Nationals scored five more times.
The Nationals sent 16 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, scoring 12 runs on nine hits and had a commanding 18-1 lead.
May and Baker each led the way for Dulins National with four runs batted in, while Elrod and Claycomb each scored three times. Pitchers Creed Rainer and Jesus Fermines combined to allow only four hits and three walks in five innings of work.
Every starter on the Nationals starting lineup scored at least a run and drove in at least one run.
The Nationals will face the Americans in a Friday clash of the two remaining squads representing Dulins Baseball. Both teams enter the contest with one loss. The winner of the noon game will advance to the championship round of the CMWS.
The tournament run for the ABA comes to an end with the loss.