BASEBALL: GECKOS TO FACE ISLANDERS IN FINALS

By Robert Balajadia

The top seeded GW Geckos are headed back to the finals after taking out the Southern Dolphins 10-3 in their semifinal showdown Tuesday evening. Meeting them there will be the JFK Islanders, who managed storm back to take a 9-7 lead just before the sun went down to beat the second seeded FD Friars.

Geckos Null Dolphins After Hot Start

The Southern Dolphins scored three runs off five hits in the first inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead on the home team Geckos. GW immediately answered back scoring four runs of their own in the 1st inning with Kenji McCarthy and Jarred Samosa bringing in the lead changing runs.

Geckos pitcher Alan Gillan shook off the early game runs and managed to keep the Dolphins off the scoreboard for the rest of the contest.

“We just got the 1st inning out of our heads,” said Gillan on the games turnaround. “We trusted that our offense was going to come along and it did. We know our defense always plays strong so it was just a matter of showing up on offense.”

After tacking on runs in the 2nd and 5th inning to take a 7-3 lead, Geckos Isiah Nauta made the play of the game in the 6th inning with an in-the-park-home-run to squash the comeback hopes of the defending champion Dolphins.

“I thought it was gone because I hit it pretty square,” admitted Nauta on the big hit. “I wasn’t expecting the in the park since the Dolphins are really good at relaying, but I’m glad it turned out that way.”

The Championship game will be played at the Okkodo baseball field which does present a different kind of wind. But the Geckos don’t see that as an excuse to not play well.

“The wind is something we’re just going to have to get used, but it shouldn’t cause us any problems. We are going to keep showing up at practice and we’re going to continue to play hard,” added Gillan on the teams last few days of preparation.

“We’re more motivated to win this year than last year. It doesn’t matter who we face Saturday, we’re going to come in with the same mindset. We want to get in and get out, start early on offense and finish strong on defense,” said Nauta.

The title game is scheduled for 4 pm start after the conclusion of the 1 pm consolation game between the FD Friars and Southern Dolphins.

Wendy’s Players of the Game Isiah Nauta and Alan Gillan helped the GW Geckos earn a spot in the championship game. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islanders Beat Friars & Daylight

The home team FD Friars jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first three innings, but errors in the late innings allowed the Islanders to blow their way back to take the 9-7 win after the game was called due to loss of light.

Islanders pitcher Nolan Chamberlain came in to start the 3rd inning which kept the Friar offense down long enough for the Islanders to muster up a comeback.

…recap of JFK vs. FD coming soon…

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Dolphins pitcher Vince Quenga fires off a pitch in the 5th inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Friars Austin Peredo lets loose in the 3rd inning for a strikeout. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Friar Christian Reyes races to third after a single by teammate Bryton Cepeda. (photo by Robert Balajadia)