By Joe Tuscano
For the Observer reporter
You have to hand it to the Washington County Pony All-Stars.
Whether they win or lose, they are fun to watch.
Washington County defeated Bronx, NY, 19-9 in the Pony League World Series elimination game at Lew Hays Pony Field in Washington Park on Tuesday. Later in the evening, Washington County produced one of the best comebacks of the tournament.
But it was a comeback that Washington County couldn’t finish. Tijuana, Mexico, which led 6-0 after 4 1/2 innings, scored two runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth to take a 10-8 victory.
Mexico will play Puerto Rico in the championship game tonight at 7:30 p.m.
“We never gave up the fight,” said Washington County Manager Andrew Wuenstel. “All the credit goes to Mexico. Sometimes you end up on the wrong side. I’m so proud of how we fought and that we didn’t give up.”
Tijuana scored first in the second inning, but it could have been much worse. Mexico had all bases loaded, no outs, and allowed just one run. Carlos Pardo struck out, as did Axel Briones. Bryan Espinoza singled to left field, ending the threat.
Washington County was dangerous in the second inning, but Landon Trnavsky was caught on a rundown between second and third base and was tagged out.
Mexico increased its lead to 2-0 in the third inning when Emilio Conteras singled home Alexander Jimenez, who had opened the inning with a single and gained scoring position by stealing second base.
Mexico scored three hits in the fourth inning to take a commanding 5-0 lead, and then scored another hit in the fifth inning to increase the lead to 6-0.
Washington began its comeback in the fifth inning when Bryan Schmeltz hit a three-run home run. Washington County scored another run before the end of the inning, cutting Mexico’s lead to 6-4. Washington County scored four times in the sixth inning to take an 8-6 lead. One of the biggest hits was a single by Schmeltz.
But Mexico wasn’t done yet. They cut the lead to 8-7 in the seventh inning with two outs and the bases loaded. Romeo Brionis walked the bases loaded to tie the game at 8-8.
