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By Gus Untalan

Junior Nationals’ Jesse Miner pitches the ball to Cougars’ Jeremy McDonald. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The Guam Paradise Fitness Jr. Nationals used a ninth inning spurge to earn their first victory in the Budweiser Baseball League defeating the Agana Heights Sushi Rock Cougars 7-3 Thursday evening at the Paseo Stadium.

With the game tied at three after eight complete innings of play, the Jr. Nationals found a new leaf in the top of the ninth.  After back-to-back walks, Mike Concepcion cranked the ball to deep left field to bring home Broad Santos and Daniel Cruz on a two RBI double.  Concepcion would add a run a few plays later stealing home on an overthrow to second base.  The final insurance run for the Jr. Nationals came when Lorenzo Flores reached home off a sacrifice fly.  The Jr. Nationals then used good defense to prevent any chance of a comeback by the Cougars in the bottom of the ninth.

Cougars pitcher Ray Leon Guerrero. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The Jr. Nationals were down 3-2 after six innings but managed to tie the ball game in the top of the seventh.  A RBI single passed first base drove home Cruz to even the score.

The Jr. Nationals got on board first in the top of the first inning.  A RBI by Kel Francisco drove home Cruz for the opening run.  Cruz finished the game scoring four of his team’s seven total runs.

Trailing 2-1 going into the fourth inning, the Cougars found their stride at bat and took over the lead.  A huge RBI triple to deep center field by first baseman Gerry Paulino drove home Jason Pangilinan to tie the game.  Paulino then stole home a few plays later to give the Cougars the lead. The Cougars however were unable to add anymore runs after the fourth inning.

In the win, Jr. Nationals starting pitcher Jesse Miner finished with an impressive eight strikeouts. Teammate Daniel Cruz finished three-for-three at bat with four runs and three stolen bases.  In the loss, Cougars pitcher Ray Leon Guerrero finished with three strikeouts.

The Jr. Nationals and the Cougars are now both 1-1 in league standings.  BBL action continues Sunday at 7pm at the Paseo Stadium as the Agana Heights Cougars return to battle against the Venue Smokey’s.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Junior National’s Darren Pangelinan tries to beat the ball headed for Cougars first baseman Gerry Paulino. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Cougars’ Shane McDonald tries to reel in the ball to force the out but was unable to make the play in the fourth inning. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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