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By Colin Leon Guerrero

Barrigada Crusaders’ starting pitcher did not last long as he also gave up a couple runs and hit batsmen. (photo by Kevin Wang)

The Barrigada Crusaders are now one step closer to winning it all after defeating the Yona RedHawks 11-7 in the last semi-final game of the Jim Beam Amateur Baseball League at the Leo Palace Baseball Stadium Saturday night.

As the game began both teams looked evenly matched as the first two innings were short and there was little offense happening between both squads.

That would change, as Howard Wolford would break through with a slick RBI single up the middle that would bring in teammate Deshon Naputi to bring the Crusaders within one cutting the RedHawks lead 3-2. Matt Muriano would hit another single plays later that brought in Brandon Leon Guerrero and CJ Aguon giving the Crusaders the lead 6-2 at the top of the third.

“That’s a good squad over there and I take nothing from them,” said Crusader’s Coach Pat Leon Guerrero about the RedHawks who showed a lot of fight tonight despite the fact that they were missing the ace pitcher Mark Parks for most of the game.

McDonalds’ Player of the Game: Howard Wolford, he went 4-5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs.

“It was unfortunate that they were undermanned and missing a key part of their defense,” Leon Guerrero added as his squad took advantage of a couple of errors in the fourth inning where the Crusaders would build on the lead with three runs on five hits making the score 9-4.

Although undermanned the RedHawks still managed to create a little run at the top of the fifth inning with a little help from Darren Pablo who hit a big RBI triple, to bring Yona within two making the score 9-7 after four innings.

Wolford who went 4 for 5 from batting range would come up big again for the Crusaders as he hit a monster RBI triple that allowed Naputi and Jonovan Dela Cruz making the score 11-7 at the bottom of the fifth.

“We believe that a pitching defense wins games, and tonight we had to go deep in the bullpen,” said Coach Leon Guerrero as the Crusaders went through three pitchers Saturday night.

“To be honest, anyone could have won tonight but I’m thankful that we came out with the win,” said Leon Guerrero as he and his team now have to prepare for the undefeated Talofofo Rangers when they meet next week in the Amateur Baseball League Championship Series, which begins on Tuesday.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Crusaders’ DH CJ Borja avoids the tag by sliding and giving his team a run. (photo by Kevin Wang)

Kyle Martinez was the starting pitcher for the Yona Redhawks; however it did not fair well as he was wild throughout. (photo by Kevin Wang)

Crusaders’ Juan Lizama hits a scorching line drive. (photo by Kevin Wang)

Crusaders’ DH CJ Borja reaches second base as Redhawks’ second baseman Tristan Aguerro makes a nice diving attempt. (photo by Kevin Wang)

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