Baseball
FRIARS SCORE EARLY & DEFEND LATE
The FD Friars had a hot start and played strong defense late to beat the Sanchez Sharks during their Thursday evening showdown between two of the IIAAG baseball league’s top teams.
By Robert Balajadia
The FD Friars have jumped out to a league best (6-1) after scoring early and getting defensive late over the Sanchez Sharks Thursday evening, beat the Sharks 5-3 at the Okkodo field through six complete innings to drop Sanchez to (5-2) on the season. The game ended in the 6th inning after a loss of daylight.
Winning pitcher Bryton Cepeda came into the game in the 2nd inning and didn’t allow the Sharks offense to put up anymore points on the scoreboard.
“I just needed to come in a throw strikes and trust my defense,” said Cepeda on preventing the Sharks from scoring. “Today was just another game and we’re approaching each game one-by-one.”
FD jumped and Sanchez switched leads through the first two innings with FD getting a run in the top of the first inning only to be answered by the Sharks who scored three runs in the bottom of the second to gain an early 3-1 lead.
Friars starting pitcher Audric Sarmiento allowed two hits in the inning with the Sharks capping off the scoring with a stolen home base by Dan-Dan after a fielders choice allowed teammate Julian Flores ran safely to second.
Sarmiento finished the inning, but didn’t see further action with the Friars electing to bring in Cepeda .
Friars Christian Reyes sprints home after a teammates hit. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Friars Kole Ada came up big in the 2nd inning, getting an RBI double to tie the game at three. Ada was then brought in by teammate Javin Delgado on the following at bat to go up 4-3, with FD taking the final lead changing score.
The game was dominated by defense throughout until the 5th inning when Friars Tyler Bautista used a sac-fly to bring in teammate Napu San Miguel to go up 5-3 with both teams playing a defensive 6th inning to end the game.
The Friars success at (6-1) this season is a result of plenty of hard work and a willingness from all 27 players.
“This team shows up every day to practice. We have 27 players and all 27 show up to practice, so that’s something in itself. They believe in themselves and are buying into the coaches system,” said coach Pat Leon Guerrero.
That, and the Friars are clicking form a chemistry standpoint.
“We are at the top of our chemistry level. We have a lot of ball players and a lot of younger players could easily get discouraged, but the seniors on the team have taken these kids under their wings. it makes out job easier and everyone on this team has improved and progressed form day one till now. I know some of these guys are getting a little frustrated with playing time, but they know that their time will come,” added Leon Guerrero.
The Friars will face the GW Geckos this Saturday as Leon Guerrero states that this will be a big test for his team.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Friars Tyler Bautista has to swing low to get a good hit on the ball for a sac-fly in the 5th inning.(photo by Robert Balajadia)
Friars Mike Concepcion tags Sharks Julian Flores out on the attempted steal to second base. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Sharks Julian Flores gets a base hit late in the game. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Sharks pitcher Joe Quintanilla fires a pitch in the 2nd inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Sharks catcher Dan-Dan Cruz is distraught after an error to first allowed the Friars runner to advance to second. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Sharks Dan-Dan Cruz steals third and manages to steal home a bat later. (photo by Robert Balajadia)