The Raphael Jackson AA Baseball League’s 2012 playoffs got off to a surprising start on Saturday at the D.C. Canegata ballpark when the 40 Plus Hurricanes kicked off the weekend action by stunning the defending champion Yankees, 5-0, behind a strong pitching effort by Geronimo Newton to take game one of their best of three series. In the other playoff series, the Vikings swept the second-ranked Dominicanos out of the playoffs by beating them 12-5 on Saturday and 8-6 Sunday.
Hurricanes 5, Yankees 0
40 Plus Hurricanes ace Geronimo Newton struck out 14 Yankee batters and allowed just three hits as the geriatric posse shocked the defending champs and the playoffs No. 1 seed, 5-0, in game one of their playoff series. The lefty was in total command of his pitches and kept the powerful Yankees batting lineup off balance all night.
It was the Hurricanes with five runs on 10 hits, while the Yankees finished with three hits. Mackeel Rogers got the loss for the Yankees.
Top batters for the Hurricanes were Raymond Cintron and Carlos Morales both (2 for 3 with one RBI).
Vikings 12, Dominicanos 5
In game two on Saturday, Jahmoy Williams pitched the Vikings to a 12-5 victory over the Dominicanos to take game one of their best of three series. It was the Vikings with 12 runs on 12 hits and one error, while the Dominicanos finished with five runs on 10 hits and six errors.
Top batters for the Vikings were Warren Brooks (3 for 5 with four RBIs), Mark Knight (1 for 4 with a homerun and one RBI) and Ajahni Dowdy (2 for 4). For the Dominicanos Juan Santana was 4 for 5 with one RBI, Enercido Bon, 3 for 3 and Andre Poche was 2 for 4.
Vikings 8, Dominicanos 6
The Vikings came back on Sunday to complete a sweep of the Dominicanos with a come-from-behind 8-6 victory to secure a spot in the 2012 finals. They will now await the winner of the series between the Hurricanes and the Yankees.
The Dominicanos held a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning before the wheels came off of their series-tying bid. It was the Vikings with eight runs on 11 hits, while the Dominicanos finished with six runs on seven hits.
Collin Williams got the win in relief for the Vikings. Top batters for the Vikings were David Clark (2 for 2 with three RBIs) and Mark Knight (2 for 3). For the Dominicanos Tony Cruz Sr. was 3 for 4 with two RBIs.
