Two runs may have been enough in the semifinal, but the Albuquerque Baseball Academy could have used a few more in the final Sunday as they came up short and fell to the Dallas Tigers in the Connie Mack National Qualifier at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

A 2-0 ABA win over the DBAT Mustangs was followed by a 7-2 loss to the Tigers, eliminating them from the tournament.

ABA was able to survive with minimal scoring and grind out a win over DBAT thanks to a phenomenal outing from righty Steven Flores. Flores worked a complete game shutout, allowing only five hits and striking out four.

"He did everything we could have wanted him to do," ABA coach Jason Columbus said. "We were down on pitching and we asked him to come back on short rest and give us everything he had, and you can't ask for more out of that kid."

Flores was indeed on top of his game, as only two DBAT runners made it into scoring position the entire contest. The key to his success was keeping the ball down in the zone, as 11 of the 21 outs he recorded came on ground balls.

In a game short on runs, ABA got theirs in unusual and controversial ways.

In the top of the second, they were able to squeak one across the plate without the benefit of a hit, as a dropped third strike and two DBAT errors allowed Travis Haguewood to make his way around the bases for the game's first run.

Then, in the top of the fourth, Tyler Black came up to the plate with one out and runners on the corners. He hit a bouncing ball to short that could have been an inning-ending double play, but Haguewood slid hard into the bag at second to disrupt the play and allow the run to score. DBAT coach Ken Guthrie protested vehemently that the slide was illegal and the inning should have been over, but to no avail.

A strikingly similar play occurred in the top of the sixth, with a runner breaking up a double play with a hard slide at second, and Guthrie came out again.

He wouldn't have a chance to argue a third time, however, as he was ejected by the home plate umpire after the side was retired.

Columbus said he understands Guthrie's argument but defended his players, saying, "We weren't doing anything dirty."

He also said he realizes that there might have been a different motive for Guthrie to put on a show.

"Their coach is just trying to get their guys fired up," Columbus said. "Try to get them in the game and get some momentum going."

Unfortunately for DBAT, though, that strategy would not pay off as they would muster only one more baserunner from that point, sending ABA into the final.

Heading into the game with the Tigers, Columbus unknowingly predicted his team's downfall.

"I just hope our guys come out with some intensity and don't come out flat after that win," he said between games. "The biggest thing is not to relax right now because you still got one more to try and get the job done."

His fears turned out to be well-founded, as the ABA pitching was not nearly as sharp as it was in the semifinal. The Tigers, without the disadvantage of having to play a doubleheader in the triple-digit heat, rolled to an easy 7-2 win, preserving their undefeated record in the tournament.

Rafael Pineda was strong on the hill for the Tigers, working six innings while giving up just two runs and striking out four.

Chase Durham was the main cog in their offensive attack, going 2-for-3 while scoring two runs and driving in two more.

The Tigers got on the board with two in the top of the second, as Durham scored on a wild pitch and Garrett Autrey knocked in Bo Altobelli with a single to center.
ABA tried to answer in the bottom half of the inning. Oscar Almedia smoked a double to left that brought in Mitchell Garver with only one out, but Almedia would ultimately be stranded at second.

The Tigers then scored in each of the next four innings, the final blow being a sacrifice fly by Durham that scored Jonathan Walsh from third to make it 7-2.

Pineda gave way to lefty Crayton Bare in the bottom of the seventh to try and close out the game. He did his job masterfully, striking out two in the inning and retiring the side in order to send the Tigers to their next destination: Farmington, N.M., where they will now compete in the Connie Mack World Series.