Connect with us

Baseball

BRAVES TAKE SEASON OPENER

[sixcol_five_last]

By Gus Untalan

A’s third baseman Gerald Santos with ball in glove turns to get the tag against Braves runner Glen Fernandez. (Photo By Jesse Castro).

A’s third baseman Gerald Santos with ball in glove turns to get the tag against Braves runner Glen Fernandez. (photo by Jesse Castro)

In an exciting match up, the Braves proved their dominance by defeating the Bank of Guam Athletics 10–6 Friday evening at the Paseo Stadium in the opening game of the 2013 Budweiser Baseball League. Prior to the start, the Braves were awarded their championship trophy for last year’s title win.

“Bank of Guam’s a great team, it’s a good way to start the season off (with a win),” said the Braves BJ Balajadia.

After being down a run for the first three innings, the Braves finally overcame the deficit taking advantage of crucial errors by the Athletics in the bottom of the fourth. With two runners on base, an overthrow to second by Bank of Guam allowed Rico Castro and Alan Sarmiento to run home giving the Braves their first lead of the game. Once in the driver’s seat, the Braves never looked back. A couple of batters later, veteran Tony Doyle cranked the ball to right field sending home Glen Fernandez for the RBI single. The Braves ended the inning up 4–2.

Brave’s Cliff Raphael threw the ball towards first base while A’s runner Ignacio Aldan tries to beat the ball to the bag. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Brave’s Cliff Raphael throws towards first base while A’s runner Ignacio Aldan tries to beat the ball to the bag. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Braves used the momentum built in the fourth adding plenty of insurance in the bottom of the fifth inning. Former AK Islander Dominic Cruz sparked the run hitting a RBI single to left field that drove home John Salas. Cruz along with BJ Balajadia would tag home plate a few batters later off a two-run-scoring single by first baseman Castro to deep center field. Glen Fernandez then brought home Castro hitting a RBI single to left field. The final run of the inning came off a RBI single by JT Tuquero that drove home Alan Sarmiento.

This matchup is the first in which the new roster for the Braves has played together. “It’s great, it makes a lot of things easier, any of those guys can easily start on any team,” added Balajadia on the new additions to the Braves in former AK Islander players.

Bank of Guam came out hot scoring two runs in the opening inning. An RBI single by Roke Alcantara, Jr. drove home Don Franquez. Alcantara would later reach home a few plays later off an overthrow to first.

A’s Randy Alcantara hit a grounder towards second base. (Photo By Jesse Castro)

A’s Randy Alcantara hit a grounder towards second base. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Athletics put up a fight till the end adding two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Second baseman Ryan Martinez smacked the ball to deep left field that drove home Mark Paulino and Peter Mantanona on the two RBI double.

The final run for Bank of Guam came in the top of the ninth inning as Mike Bautista stole home on a wild pitch by the Braves.

In the win, Braves lead pitcher Cliff Raphael finished with four strikeouts. Balajadia of the Braves finished with three stolen bases off no hits at bat. In the loss, Athletics catcher Mike Bautista hit an impressive solo triple, the first of the season.

BBL action continues 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the Paseo Stadium as the Saipan Cyclones face off against the Agana Heights Cougars.

[/sixcol_five_last]

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/?p=23936″ type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/?p=23936″ style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

January

February 2025

March
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for January

1st

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for February

1st

No Events
Events for February

3rd

Events for February

4th

Events for February

5th

Events for February

6th

Events for February

7th

Events for February

8th

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Events for February

9th

Events for February

9th

No Events
Events for February

11th

Events for February

11th

No Events
Events for February

13th

Events for February

14th

Events for February

15th

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for February

15th

No Events
Events for February

16th

No Events
Events for February

18th

Events for February

19th

Events for February

20th

Events for February

21st

Events for February

22nd

23
24
25
26
27
28
1
Events for February

23rd

Events for February

23rd

No Events
Events for February

25th

Events for February

26th

Events for February

27th

Events for February

28th

COMING SOON …

QUICK HITS

The father-son duo of Kin and Don Pedro Cruz aboard @shutupandfishguam roped in this monster mamulan Saturday morning off the coast of Hågat. The mamulan fought for over 40 minutes on light drag.
—————————————-
Guam’s Team Yi Impact won the 10th Dreamers Youth Basketball Challenge in Manila, Philippines, taking the U18 girls division.

More in Baseball