IRVINE, Calif. --- Jonathan Munoz capitalized on a stolen base and an error, hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to lead the 'Eaters to a 9-8 win over the Ants Monday at Anteater Ballpark.
With one out in the inning, Kris Paulino singled off reliever Evan Brock. Paulino then stole second and Renae Martinez's throw skipped pass Chris Rabago into center, allowing Paulino to take third on the error. Munoz followed with a single through the left side to drive in the game-winning run.
The 'Eaters had to play from behind after the Ants took a 3-0 lead against starter Matt Fielding. Rabago doubled in the top of the first for the Ants and scored on an infield single by Evan Cassolato. Mikey Duarte reached on an error by Munoz to lead off the third and eventually came around to score on a double by John Brontsema. Brontsema would cross the plate on a sacrifice fly from Sam Moore.
After three scoreless innings, the 'Eaters jumped on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Taylor Sparks doubled in Jerry McClanahan and scored on Munoz's RBI grounder to second. After a solo home run by Moore in the top of the fifth, the 'Eaters then took the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs against reliever Michael Martin. Sparks and Paulino hit back-to-back RBI triples to give the 'Eaters a 6-4 lead.
Each team scored a run in the seventh and the Ants tied the game in the eighth on a two-run single by Brontsema to drive in Renae Martinez and Mikey Duarte, both of whom drew walks against Sean Sparling.
Andrew Martinez doubled in Justin Castro for the 'Eaters in the bottom of the eighth for a brief 8-7 lead but the Ants struck again in the ninth, getting a clutch RBI hit from Adam Alcantara, who drove in Connor Spencer to knot the score at 8-8.
Evan Brock suffered the loss for the Ants, giving up two runs in two innings of relief.
Jimmy Litchfield was credited the win after logging 1.2 innings and allowing a run on three hits.
Munoz had three RBI while Paulino was 4 for 5 with two runs scored for the 'Eaters.
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