Minor league pitcher Alfred Morillo celebrates series-ending strikeout with clean backflip

John E. Moore III via Getty Images

The Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles punched their ticket Friday night to the Texas League Championship after hanging on for an 8-7 win over the Frisco RoughRiders in Game 3 of the Texas League South Division Series.

The final out was recorded by Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Alfred Morillo, who struck out Arturo Disla in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Sod Poodles the final series for the first time since 2023.

Morillo was so pumped up to close out the series that his exuberant celebration featured a perfectly-executed backflip on the mound.

Jefry Yan, you’ve got competition.

Amarillo got off to a strong start in Game 3 with a six-run first inning. Frisco clawed back over the next eight innings, cutting the deficit to 6-5 entering the ninth inning. That’s when the Sod Poodles added two insurance runs to increase the lead.

The Sod Poodles, who are two-time Texas League champions, will face the Springfield Cardinals in a best-of-three championship series beginning on Sunday.