Dillan Smith homered and drove in two runs, and the visiting Roswell Invaders kept the Tucson Saguaros from a third consecutive Pecos League championship with a 5-2 win on Monday night at Kino Stadium.
The teams were playing a winner-take-all Game 3 after splitting the first two games in the Pecos League finals. The Invaders racked up four runs, all earned, against Tucson starter Tyler Rumbaugh. John Kea allowed one run on one hit in two innings of relief.
Roswell put up one run in the first inning, one in the third and two in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. Tucson clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Chris Caffrey singled, the moved to second when Kendon Strachan reached on an error. Chris Iazzetta singled and Caden Ledbetter reached on an error, and Tucson trailed by two. Brandon Bradshaw then grounded out, ending the inning. Iazzetta went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and was the only Saguaro with multiple hits.
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The Roswell Invaders teammates hug each other while celebrating their 5-2 win over the Tucson Saguaros in the final game of the Pecos League championship series at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Roswell added one run in the sixth.
Monday's loss ended an otherwise-dominant postseason run for the Saguaros, who swept Bakersfield in the first round and San Rafael in the second round to win the Pacific Division championship. Roswell took Saturday’s best-of-three opener, and Tucson had a walk-off win in Sunday’s Game 2.
Photos: Tucson Saguaros lose Pecos League championship game to Roswell Invaders
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Invaders' Lance Myers (5) raises the trophy while Myers and teammates celebrate their 5-2 win over the Tucson Saguaros in the final game of the Pecos League championship series at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
A dejected Saguaros' Kendon Strachan (32) walks past first base while the Roswell Invaders celebrate their 5-2 win over the Tucson Saguaros in the final game of the Pecos League championship series at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Invaders' Anthony Moore (4) pitches during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Roswell Invaders' teammates hug each other while celebrating their 5-2 win over the Tucson Saguaros in the final game of the Pecos League championship series at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Saguaros' Patrick Music (21) holds up his glove after believing he tagged out Invaders' DeMarcus Kelly (11) during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022. The second base umpire called Kelly safe at second base.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Saguaros' Patrick Music (21) and teammate Sadler Goodwin (31) react after the umpire called Invaders' DeMarcus Kelly (11) slide to second base safe during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Invaders' Dillan Smith (12) celebrates towards the dugout after hitting a home run during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Invaders' Colton Adams (10) slides to third base during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Saguaros' Patrick Music (21) throws the ball to third baseman Brock Ephan (not pictured) while tagging out runner Invaders' DeMarcus Kelly (11) during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Saguaros' Brock Ephan (50) chips his bat while hitting a foul ball during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
A rainbow covers the sky while Saguaros' fan Dave Clark waits for the doors to open before the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Invaders' Juan Montes rounds third base while heading to home plate during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Fans sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in the seventh inning stretch during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Saguaros' Kendon Strachan (32) strikes out during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
Saguaros' manager Sean McNeill watches the game from the dugout during the final game of the Pecos League championship series between the Tucson Saguaros and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
A dejected Saguaros' Sadler Goodwin (31) reacts to the Tucson Saguaros 5-2 loss against the Roswell Invaders in the final game of the Pecos League championship series at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 15, 2022.
Tucson Saguaros vs Roswell Invaders
The Saguaros' BJ Minarcin warms up while a rainbow covers the sky before the final game of the Pecos League championship series between Tucson and the Roswell Invaders at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on Aug. 15, 2022.
