[sixcol_five_last]

By Gus Untalan

Green Archers pitcher Jose Minana had four strikeouts in the loss. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

In a back and forth battle at the plate, the Trojans defeated the de La Salle Green Archers 10–6 in the opening match-up in the 16-and-under division of the 2012 Governor’s Invitational Youth Baseball Tournament Friday afternoon at the Leo Palace Resort.

“We’re just here to have fun, we’re enjoying ourselves plus it’s good camaraderie with the other teams,” said Trojans Coach Tim Santos.

After a slow start trailing by three runs, the Trojans exploded in the bottom of the second inning scoring a total of five runs over the Green Archers of the Philippines.  Tyler Okiyama sparked the run for the home team hitting a RBI double over left field that drove Kole Ada home.

Okiyama later touched home plate on a fielder’s choice that cut the lead to one run.  Errors then haunted the Green Archers as Tyler Bautista and Blayne Hattori scored on missed catches that gave the Trojans the lead.  The final run of the inning came on an overthrow to first that sent Andrick Sarmiento home.

“This was our first game in a long time, we were a little bit rusty but we came back,” admitted Santos.

Napu San Miguel slams this RBI triple to put the first point on the board for the Trojans. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The rough start was short lived as the Trojans never gave up the lead once in front and added plenty of insurance in the fifth inning.  Tyler Okiyama scored his second run of the game off a RBI single by Javin Delgado.  Delgado would score as well off an overthrow by the Green Archers.  The final run of the game came off a huge RBI triple by Kel Francisco that sent Blayne Hattori home.

“We’re here to learn and feel ourselves out and to see where we stand,” added Santos.

Despite the loss, the Green Archers had success early on scoring three runs in the top of the first. Alejandro Manzano smacked a 2 RBI single over left field that drove Joshua Santos and Jose Minana home. Manzano later scored himself off a RBI single by Dino Altomonte.  The Green Archers were able to cut the Trojans lead to one in the fourth inning but were unable to overtake the local team.

The 2012 Governor’s Invitational Youth Baseball Tournament continues this weekend with the Championship games for all three divisions concluding on Sunday, October 28.  Games are being held at the Leo Palace Resort, the Paseo Stadium, and at Okkodo High School.

Green Archers’ Paolo Salud was too late to tag-out Trojans’ Javin Delgado at second base. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Trojans’ Javin Delgado pitches the ball to Green Archers’ Antonio Francisco in the top of the first inning. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Green Archers’ Paolo Salud was able to slide around Trojans’ Mike Concepcion to tap safely on second base. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Trojans’ Blayne Hattori slides back safely to first base before Green Archers’ Alejandro Manzano could make the play. (photo by Errol Alegre Jr.)

Trojans’ Tyler Okiyama runs safely across home plate as Green Archers catcher Paul Naguit prepares for the incoming ball. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Green Archers’ Paolo Salud could not get a good grasp on the ball at second base. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

[/sixcol_five_last][ubm_premium_banner_rotation banners=44, 51, 38 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/baseball/trojans-stun-green-archers/”][fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/baseball/trojans-stun-green-archers/” style=”button_count” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]