Miramar Optimist Pinto All-star team met the PB Gardens Thunder 8U for a two game series this Sunday March 9, 2008.  The first game started with the Thunder’s monster Home Run by Noah Vargas but the scoring threat was shutdown with the all-star defense play of Miramar’s Charles ‘Tre” Taliaferro at Short stop that took down two Thunder players with his play making.  Miramar came to the plate scoring a quick four runs before the Thunder dug down and stopped Miramar’s Offensive threat. 

The Thunder’s offense was again stymied with the all-star combination play of Charles “Tre” Taliaferro and second baseman Jordan Mercado who combined for two outs that stopped any Thunder scoring threat.  Miramar returned to the plate scoring five runs which was capped by a monster Home Run by Jonathan Diaz, ending the inning with Miramar leading by 8 runs. 

The Thunder returned in the 3^rd inning scoring four runs with exceptional base running and great hits to the gaps before Miramar’s defense could stop the bleeding.  Miramar retuned In the third inning scoring five more runs on hits from Tre Taliaferro, Patrick Rodriguez, Nicolas Dominguez, Jake Frew, Lucas Farno and Ephrem Hernandez ending the inning with a Miramar 15 to 5 lead. 

The Thunder returned to the 4^th inning with a lead off single but could not capitalize standing two players before Miramar out the third out.  The 4^th inning began with Miramar’s Al Ortiz reaching on a single with one out that eventually resulted in their only run before the game was called due to time. 

Game #2

The second game of the double hitter looked as it would start as the first when Miramar struck first with a two run home run by Tre Taliaferro before the Thunder tighten up and closed out the inning stranding two Miramar players.  The Thunder came to the plate in the 1^st scoring three runs on multiple errors by Miramar’s defense before they were stopped stranding three players. 

Miramar’s 2^nd inning did not start so great when they were quickly struck down by the Thunder’s great defense leaving Miramar scoreless in the inning.  The Thunder came back to the plate in the 2^nd and quickly scored four runs with great hits by Michael Panczak, Noah Vargas, and Matt Lashinger before a base clearing Home Run by Thunder slugger Ross Carpenter, ending the inning with an 8 to 2 Thunder lead.  

Miramar’s 3^rd inning did not end much better when they scored only one run by Chase Dubet.  Entering the inning with a chance to increase their lead the Thunder failed to score any runs as Miramar’s defense came with great plays that shut down any chance of scoring. 

The 4^th inning saw Miramar’s inning wake up with a lead off Home Run by Jonathan Diaz (his second for the day) that was followed by hit and eventual runs by Tre Taliaferro and Kevin McCready.  The Thunder returned in the fourth attempting keep their lead which looked promising with runs by Noah Vargas and Matt Lashinger before Miramar’s defense clamped down with great defensive play by Mark Vientos ending the inning with a 10 to 6 Thunder lead. 

Miramar came to the plate for the 5^th inning needing to score to which came from hits and runs from Ephrem Hernandez, Chase Dubet and Jared “JJ” Chirino before back to back Home Runs from Mark Vientos and Jordan Mercado.  The Thunder’s inning began looking at their lead turn into a one run deficit but their offense was shut down 1,2,3 with outstanding defensive play by Mark Vientos and Tre Taliaferro ending the inning with a 11 – 10 Miramar lead. 

The 6^th inning began with Miramar extending their lead with a hit by Jonathan Diaz that was brought in with a base clearing Home Run by Tre Taliaferro (His second for the game) before the Thunder’s defense stopped the scoring with solid defensive play that left two Miramar player stranded.  The Thunder came to the plate needing to score runs or face defeat which came with solid hits that resulted in bases to be loaded with two outs and the Thunder’s clean up hitter Ryan Ali to the plate.  Although Ryan put a great fight at the plate the Thunder threat was dashed with a line drive out to Miramar’s Mark Vientos ending the game with a 13 to 10 win for Miramar Optimist Pinto All-stars.

Another outstanding double header against the PB Thunder team. We want to Thank Coach Mike for bringing down his troops to Miramar.

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