The Tigres del Licey is the new national champions after defeating the Estrellas Orientales 2-1 in an exciting game that lasted until the 10th inning, the fifth game of the final series.
Colombian Jorge Alfaro took the Most Valuable Player of the final series.
Licey becomes the franchise that has lifted the champion’s trophy the most times by getting its 23rd crown in LIDOM.
The match’s hero was Mel Rojas Jr, who connected the golden hit to break the tie at one run against the closer Ronel Blanco.
In the third episode came the first run of the Tigers. Emilio Bonifacio started with a single, then Ronny Mauricio hit a double play. Later there were consecutive singles by Jorge Alfaro and Ramón Hernández for Mel Rojas Jr. to imitate with an RBI hit.
¡HIT de Mel Rojas Jr. que remolca la primera de los @tigresdellicey! 🐯🙌🏻#LIDOM #SerieFinalLIDOM #CopaBanreservas ⚾️🏆 pic.twitter.com/wKk9sWezzY
— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) January 19, 2023
In the eighth inning, the Estrellas Orientales managed to even the score with a home run by Jeimer Candelario all the way to center field against pitcher Keury Mella.
Esa se fue 💥 ¡HOMERUN de Jeimer Candelario que trae la primera de la @EOBASEBALLCLUB y tenemos juego nuevo! 🐘🔥#LIDOM #SerieFinalLIDOM #CopaBanreservas ⚾️🏆 pic.twitter.com/4mT5cekiOg
— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) January 19, 2023
Then, in the 10th inning, with runners in first and second, Mel Rojas Jr. hit a single to the right field, pushing the winning run to the plate.
¡FINAL! 💥👏🏻
¡LOS @tigresdellicey SON LOS CAMPEONES NACIONALES 2022-2023! 🐯🏆#LIDOM #SerieFinalLIDOM #CopaBanreservas ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/e0vZ8ITeK4
— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) January 19, 2023
With the victory, the Tigers maintain their dominance in the final series when they face the Estrellas Orientales, who now dominate the series 3-1.
The 23rd crown came in the 38th time in the final of the Dominican winter ball. On the other hand, the Estrellas still need to win their fourth title in 19 visits to the decisive instance.
Licey also managed to win the Banreservas Cup in the tournament played in honor of Tomás Troncoso, a team commentator for years.
Now the Tigers will be the representatives of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series in Venezuela, which will begin on February 2nd.