AMIGOS TAKE GAME ONE

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By Regina Shiroma

Amigos Ray Quintanilla gets a good hit on the ball in the bottom of the fourth inning. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

In Game One of the best of three championship series of the Guam Amateur Baseball Latte Spring League, the top-seeded Chalan Pago Amigos slipped past the second-seeded Agana Heights King Car Chiefs 5-4 at the Okkodo field Wednesday  night.

The Amigos took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first off a two RBI single by James Quintanilla, but the Chiefs immediately caught up and took the lead in the top of the second. Consecutive RBI doubles by Chiefs Derrick Cruz and Frank Johnson into the gaps tied the ball game at two apiece. Utilizing the gaps once again, Vic Villagomez hit an RBI single to bring in Johnson, taking the lead 3-2.

In the bottom of the second inning Amigo’s Ray Jay Aromin took advantage of a wild pitch and stole home from third. Aromin’s run tied the game at 3-3 and would be the last run for a while.

Both teams struggled to score, as each team buckled down defensively for the next three innings.

“It could’ve gone either way. It was tied since the first inning on. Both teams played till the end. Good pitching kept us in until our hitters could come around,” said Amigos manager, Mike Perez.

Chiefs pitcher Troy Simbahan delivers a pitch in Game One of the best of three championship series. (photo by Errol Alegre Jr.)

The Amigos finally broke the silence and the tie in the bottom of the sixth when center fielder Ryan Castro stole home off the Chiefs second error of the night. The Chiefs committed another error that cost them another run making the score 5-3.

Going into the seventh inning, the Chiefs tried to gain back their lead. And they almost succeeded. Shane McDonald RBI hit a solid shot into the right gap to bring in Mike Blas and bring the Chiefs within one of the Amigos. With runners at the corners, Cruz stepped up to bat. Cruz swung away at the ball, and hit a fly to center, however, Castro got underneath the ball and made the catch for the third and final out of the game.

After never walking or striking out a batter, Amigos pitcher Pete Quintanilla gave up four walks for the first time this season.

Game two of the championship series has been moved to Monday, August 6, 2012 at 7pm at the Okkodo field.

“We’ve played the same all year long. Nothing’s changed since game one of the season. So we’re not changing anything for the game Monday. We’re just going to play our game.”

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