There was plenty to celebrate on a sunny spring afternoon at UIC’s Granderson Stadium.
The downtown skyline was the backdrop for the inaugural Latino Baseball Classic, a doubleheader bringing together four teams from all over Chicago on May 3.
Albert Almora Jr., who won a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016, was among those throwing out first pitches. Beyond the third-base dugout and just outside the stadium, a food truck was serving free tacos.
And before each of the two games, the national anthems of the United States, Venezuela were played, honoring the heritage of the games’ players.
After Farragut knocked off Clemente 13-4 in the opener, Solorio earned a dominant 11-1 win over Kennedy in six innings.
The Sun Warriors’ coaches and players couldn’t imagine a better capper to the day,
Solorio senior Josiah Saucedo pitched a three-hitter, allowing one run (earned) and one walk with eight strikeouts.
“To be able to celebrate everybody — everybody’s the same, to be honest,” Saucedo said. “So to be able to hear everything and celebrate today is beautiful.”
Saucedo also had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and three RBIs. He appreciated the chance to pitch on a college mound against a highly regarded foe in Kennedy junior Mason Rychetsky.
“We prepared for this game all week,” Saucedo said. “We knew what was coming and how big it was going to be for everybody. …
“I knew I would probably have my best stuff today, so I kind of just challenged the hitters and hoped for the best.”
Saucedo punctuated some big pitches and big outs with fist pumps, which coach Scott Whitcomb was happy to see.
“The past couple of games, he’s been using his voice a lot,” Whitcomb said. “That’s something that we’ve talked about.
“Talent’s never been our issue. Sometimes we can kind of get down on ourselves, quiet. And it’s easy to feel that way when it’s 48 degrees in a random park in Chicago.
“The last few games he’s been using his voice a lot and that translated obviously in his performance.”
Other Sun Warriors with big days at the plate included leadoff hitter Keiber Hernandez (2-for-4, two runs, double), Sebastian Davila (3-for-4, run, two RBIs) and Max Perez (3-for-3, two runs, RBI).
Hernandez also appreciated the chance to play on a big stage.
“It feels really good,” he said through a translator. “It is a bit of more emotion, more that everybody get together. Not only one, but a whole lot of communities — people from around here. a lot from different places.”