Camargo homers late as Alonso tops Wharton

Alonso reliever Landon Nunez celebrates an inning-ending strikeout against Wharton.

By Mike Camunas
Creative Director

TAMPA — In any language, that ball was, without a doubt, gone.

“Si, yo sé,” Angel Camargo said in his native Spanish.

“Yes, I knew (it was a homer),” Alonso’s senior first baseman’s translator (assistant coach Pete Toledo) said of his bottom of the sixth, go-ahead solo homer to propel the Ravens to a dramatic 5-4 win over Wharton on Thursday evening.

Tied 4-4 in a hotly-contested game, Alonso (2-2) rallied from down two runs thanks to Carmargo’s homer, but also shut-down relief pitching and reliable defense.

“(My guys) had a lot of fight in them,” said Ravens coach Landy Faedo, who is in his 20th season helming this program. “Anyone would like that (homer from Camargo), right?

“But that’s what we’re known for, too. Good defense and good relief pitching, and we needed it tonight.”

Wharton senior Elijah Dukes.

Alonso did find itself with a nice 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second after an RBI single by Camargo and an RBI double by fellow senior Hunter Campbell. However, Wharton (3-1) would answer right back with three runs in the third, powered by Elijah Dukes, Billy Eich and Carson Mohler.

The Wildcats then seemed poised to shut down the game, especially since senior starter Evan Chrest cruised to seven strikeouts into the fourth, until loading the bases on a walk and a hit batter.

Ravens catcher Benjamin Kittay would draw a walk and Ben Drumheller would get an infield single to tie the game at 4-4, however, the umpires would eject Drumheller for an unsportsmanlike comment.

Chrest would then strike out the next batter and appear to gesture toward the Alonso dugout, as the two teams continued an emotionally-charged game.

“I don’t even know what was said,” said Kittay, who was in the dugout after being relieved by a courtesy runner. “All I know is it got heated and I was losing my voice from yelling. There was a lot of yelling in this game.”

Kittay is not wrong there.

Landon Nunez would replace starter Hector Montilla, who allowed four runs on seven hits and walked four with a strikeout. Nunez, who picked up the win, as well, would pitch 2 1/3 shutout innings, allowing just a hit and picking up two strikeouts.

“Landon was really big for us tonight,” Kittay said.

But it was in the bottom of the sixth with just one out that Kittay would really lose his voice. Camargo took a full-count pitch off Ryan Fry deep into left field and came to home plate to a full-celebration with the donning of a gold chain and bragging rights.

“Wow,” Kittay said, basically speechless. “I mean, wow. Just wow.”

Alonso reliever Dylan DeGusipe earned the save.

Dylan DeGuspie would come in and throw a nine-pitch save to secure the Raven’s come-from-behind win.

As for Camargo’s two-RBI night, it can only be summed up in one word. Understood in any language.

“Perfecto.”

Alonso 5
Wharton 4

W 003|100|0 – |4|8|1
A 020|201|x – |5|6|0
W – Nunez (1-0); L – Fry (1-1); S – DeGusipe (1)
2B – Turer (W); Campbell (A); HR – Camargo (A). Records – W (3-1); A (2-2).

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