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By Robert Balajadia

Rangers pile out onto the middle of the field in celebration of their victory over the Crusaders. (photo by Jesse Castro)

It took eight innings to crown a champion but the Talofofo Rangers defeated the Barrigada Rangers 10-9 to win Game 3 and the 2013 Jim Beam Amateur Baseball Championship Series at the Leo Palace Baseball Stadium on Saturday night.

The Crusaders managed to storm a monstrous comeback in game two of the series and faced a similar deficit in game three but fell just a run short along with great defensive plays from the Rangers.

Twin brothers pitcher Angelo Taijeron and shortstop Andrew Taijeron made the final two plays for the Rangers on the defensive side of the ball to end the game.  Angelo was honored as the McDonald’s Player of the Game for his final inning saves and brother Andrew made the highlight reel unassisted double-play in the final inning.

The Rangers were leading 10-9 in the bottom of the eighth when Crusaders’ Kin Fernandez hit a single off of Angelo’s first pitch.  Howard Wolford stepped in next at bat for the Crusaders when Andrew Taijeron made the play of the game.

McDonald’s Player of the Game Angelo Taijeron

Rangers shortstop Andrew Taijeron

Wolford knocked Angelo’s pitch down the middle of the field when Andrew made the play on the ball while sprinting to second base, hoping over a sliding Kin Fernandez, while firing a pass to first base to tag Wolford out for the unassisted double play.

“Coming out in the bottom of the eighth up by one and the pressure is on but I had to think ‘no pressure.’  We needed to get that first out but when [Fernandez] got the base hit I knew we needed a big play.  Then the grounder by [Wolford] came to me I knew I had to take it and get the double-play,” stated Andrew on his late game heroics.

Angelo then met Crusaders Jerard Lujan for their final at bat where he got Lujan out swinging air for the games final play.

“That felt so good.  This is my first time pitching this season.  My heart was pounding and the pressure was up but I told myself we needed to get a double-play.  I was hoping [Rabago] would get us through the whole game.  He did a good job but I told my coach to put me in for the final five outs,” stated Angelo on getting the final out.

Taijeron came in during the middle of the sixth inning to relieve starting pitcher Robby Rabago after Rabago gave up three straight runs.

T-ERRORS

The Taijeron twins will get the credit for locking down the Crusaders in the final inning but an error-filled game more than influenced the outcome.

The Rangers were sitting at the top of the eighth inning with two outs away and Derrick Dela Cruz at bat.  Dela Cruz got a decent hit on the ball but it was in the vicinity of the Crusaders second baseman who did not secure the catch which forced the error, allowing Rangers Kagan Rabago to waltz in for the winning run.

Rabago was sitting at second base due to an errant throw to first base on the previous out.

The Crusaders went to their bullpen tree times after pulling Jonaven Dela Cruz in the top of third for Clayton Cruz.  Jon Sablan came in for Cruz in the top of the sixth inning and Sablan was later replaced by Kaleb Cruz in the top of the eighth.

HOLD THE FAT LADY

Rangers’ third baseman Kagan Rabago waits for the arrival of Crusaders’ runner to make the tag. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Rangers were leading 9-4 at the bottom of the sixth inning with the Crusaders looking for someone to make a big play.  Kaleb Cruz was money for the Crusaders going 3-4 for the game and sparked his team with a double in bottom of the sixth.

Fernandez brought in Cruz with an RBI single a batter later to cut the lead 9-5.  Then, Wolford matched Fernandez getting and RBI single off Rangers pitcher Rabago to cut the lead 9-6.  Lujan stepped up and hit an RBI single as well which forced the Rangers to go to relieve Rabago and plug in Taijeron.

An errant throw by the Rangers to first base allowed the Crusaders to tie the game at nine runs each, forcing the extra inning and almost completing the Crusader comeback.

Rangers starting pitcher Robby Rabago was named playoff MVP as voted on by the coaches.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Crusaders’ catcher Howard Wolford reaches to catch the ball to make the forced out against the Rangers’ runner. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Rangers’ first baseman Derek Dela Cruz stretches out to make the catch and the out for the double play. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Rangers’ pitcher and playoff MVP Robby Rabago. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Crusaders’ second baseman Kaleb Cruz reaches out for the ball as Rangers’ runner Frank Santos Jr. begins his slide into base. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Rangers’ second baseman Andrew Taijeron reaches in to grab the ball while Crusaders’ runner RJ Santos tries to slide back to avoid the out. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Crusaders’ RJ Santos cracks a grounder out towards center field. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Rangers’ Derek Dela Cruz sent out a short pop-fly towards right field and was able to get the RBI. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Rangers’ catcher Conan Dela Cruz runs to make the out. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Crusaders starting pitcher Jonaven Dela Cruz. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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