By Mike Nauta Jr.
Heading into Sunday night’s Budweiser Baseball League championship game three at the Paeo Stadium in Hagatna, the Paradise Fitness Guam Junior Nationals were hoping to pick up their first win in the best-of-seven series. However, the only thing standing in their way were the AM Insurance Orioles who were already holding a two game lead. For the first two innings of the game, things seemed to be working the way the Nats wanted.
However, as the game progressed the Orioles had other intentions as they manhandled their opponents. When the final out was recorded it was the O’s who earned the 17-2 victory and pulled within a game of clinching this year’s championship.
After two scoreless innings, the Orioles got things started in their half if the third inning to open up a 5-0 lead. After a Florencio Binuya base hit, teammate KC Cruz followed with a single of his own to drive in the game’s first run. Before the Nationals could get out of the inning, the Orioles added four more runs courtesy of RBIs from JR Hattig, Matt Muna, and Michael Dean Aguon.
The early deficit didn’t deter the Junior Nationals as they continued to put forth their best efforts despite playing with no subs on the bench. In the top of the fourth, the Nationals trimmed their deficit after making it a 5-2 game. T.J. Leon Guerrero was credited with a two-RBI single. The bottom of the fourth witnessed the Orioles add three runs to their tally as they upped their lead to 8-2. Hattig and Aguon drove in one run apiece in the mini surge.
Action in the fifth inning came to a stalemate as neither team managed to produce any runs keeping it a six-run ball game. However, in the bottom of the sixth, the Orioles added cushion to their already huge lead. After scoring four more runs, AM Insurance held a commanding 12-2 lead after six complete innings of play.
The Nationals continued their offensive woes as they couldn’t find any answers to put more runs on the board. For the Orioles, things continued to roll as they had another monster output in the bottom of the eighth inning widening the lead. After giving up five runs, the Nationals found themselves trailing 17-2 heading into the top of the ninth. Terrific defense by the Orioles retired the Junior Nationals side quickly in the ninth to end the game and give them the victory.
The Orioles’ starting pitcher John Pangelinan earned the victory from the mound after pitching a complete game with five strikeouts. The Junior Nationals’ Kel Francisco was dealt the loss. Offensively, the O’s were led by Hattig and Muna who went a combined 6-for-9 with five RBIs. Teammate Calvert Alokoa went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
With the win, the Orioles go up 3-0 in the series and will look to sweep when they return to the Paseo Stadium for Game 4 on Tuesday night. Game time is scheduled for 7 pm.
PHOTO GALLERY:
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Basketball
TENORIO NAMED IIAAG HOOPS MVP
Basketball
TENORIO NAMED IIAAG HOOPS MVP
Volleyball
CHEN, EUGENIA ARE EMPRESSES OF THE BEACH
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon