Bel Air, Md. – After weather delays and schedule changes, Monroe and Spartanburg Methodist took the field in the final elimination game of the Eastern District Championship. The winner would go on to face Harford in the final.
 
The Mustangs wasted no time in taking control of the game. Monroe, the #3 seed home team, got some help from centerfielder Cam Crabbe in the top of the first as the White Plains, New York native leapt over the fence to take a home run away from the batter.
 
Several familiar players catalyzed the Mustangs' early lead. Ramger Iglesias led off with a single to left. Alex De La Cruz, who entered the game 8-10 in the series, reached on a walk. They both then stole, reaching second and third. Ronald Jackson connected on an infield single up the middle. Iglesias scored easily, and De La Cruz moved to third. From there, De La Cruz stole home on the back end of a delayed steal that saw Jackson take second. Monroe led 2-0 after an inning.
 
In the third, Crabbe laced a leadoff double to left-center. He moved to third on a groundout, but was eliminated at the plate on an infield grounder from Michael Ramirez. The score remained at 2-0, Monroe.
 
Monroe extended its lead in the fourth inning on a John Russo solo shot to the opposite field. The 3-0 lead was more than adequate for starting pitcher Andres Fernandez. The righty allowed just one infield single through the first five innings and struck out eight batters.
 
Spartanburg came back in the sixth, when the first two batters reached on hits. From there, Ramger Iglesias made a diving catch on a bunt for the first out. The next batter hit an RBI double into the gap that bounced off Crabbe's glove, marring what would have been his second terrific catch of the game. The Pioneers trailed 3-1 with runners on second and third. Another seeing eye single passed Iglesias at third, bringing home another run and making the score 3-2, with runners on the corners and one out. A sacrifice fly tied the score at 3-3.
 
The game stayed even at 3-3 until the bottom of the eighth. De La Cruz singled and stole second. From there, he scored on a bunt and an error. Fernandez retired the Pioneers in order, and the Mustangs had the victory, 4-3.
Fernandez threw a complete game and struck out ten. He allowed just three runs and walked just one. Isaiah Torres and Ramger Iglesias had two hits apiece.

With the win, the Mustangs will face Harford in the championships. The two teams will play one game today, and if Monroe is victorious a second, deciding game will be played on Monday the 23^rd.