BBL: ORIOLES SWEEP JR. NATIONALS TO WIN TITLE

By Robert Balajadia

The AM Insurance Orioles were men on a mission all season long and after defeating the five-time champion IT&E Braves in the semifinals the same group rallied together to sweep the hindering Paradise Jr. National’s team during Tuesday night’s Game 4 to claim the 2014 title.

The O’s were clicking on offense all series long and big at bats had them grab an early lead which they managed to hold on despite a late Jr. Nat’s rally to get the 12-6 victory.

A good portion of the Jr. National’s baseball team is representing Guam in the 2014 Little League World Series and have only played in Games 1 & 2 in the series.

Matt Muna stole the show in the top of the 6th inning getting a two-run home run off Jr. National’s pitcher Lorenzo Flores to go up 9-1.

“I’m just here to help my team,” said Muna on his big game 4. “We worked really hard and worked as a team this long road. We fought hard and came out victorious thanks to our coaches that led us through,” Muna continued.

Guahan Soldier Player of the Game Matt Muna

The O’s were coming off a huge victory of the Jr. National’s in Game 3 with a score of 17-2. The offense has been coming together nicely in the Championship Series and beating the Braves had a lot to do with the teams comfortability.

“We played a little more relaxed because they got the chip off their shoulder which was getting past the five-time champs. Getting past them helped everyone play relieved since the pressure wasn’t always on,” said manager Pat Leon Guerrero.

Winning, and starting, pitcher Eric Cepeda had been preparing to deliver the knockout performance when his team called on him to, so only allowing two runs through seven innings was all part of the winning script.

“My defense and offense came through. We worked hard all season and our mission is fulfilled. It feels good to bump off the five-time champions, but hats off to those guys, they are good. It’s a team sport and our team did good,” said Cepeda.

The Jr. Nationals made a short run in the 8th inning off relief pitcher Derwin Aguon, scoring three runs to cut the lead 9-5. The runs were short lived after a single play that involved three straight errors lead to three consecutive runs by the O’s to deliver the knockout blow int he top of the 9th.

Orioles celebrate the victory over the Jr. Nationals. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Standing first to receive the trophy was O’s JR Hattig before the rest of the team took turns passing the hardware around.

The O’s had been the BBL’s top team all season and each game brought a different challenge that they seemed to always be ready for. In the end, winning it all is all that really matters.

“The [Jr. Nationals] were hurting out there if you put things in perspective, but the win over the [Braves] helped mellow the team. We had a good run and a good season and hey, we’re the champs!”

PHOTO GALLERY:

2014 Budweiser Baseball League Champions “AM Insurance Orioles”. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Jr. Nationals Lorenzo Flores delivers a pitch against Orioles in Game 4. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Orioles Matt Muna rounds third base hitting a 2-run home run to leftfield. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Orioles Miller Santos hits a stand up double to left centerfield. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Jr. Nationals Shane Muna hits a single to right field. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Orioles Game 4 starting pitcher Eric Cepeda delivers a pitch against Jr. Nationals. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Orioles Luis San Nicolas almost beats out an infield hit. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Jr. Nationals Misaki Cramer dives back to first base. (Photo by Joey Blas)