By Robert Balajadia
It was a display of pure mastership as the Guahan Masters baseball team completed the Goodwill Masters Baseball Tournament with a gold medal finish over the Padres in a 15-3 game. The contest was called after five complete innings given the large lead the Masters were able to build in just one inning.
With an odd forecast of rain taking precedence over the field days before the games could finish, not many figured that the gold medal game would have been able to carry on as scheduled at the Dededo Sports Complex fields.
Rain was the least of worries as the Guahan Masters caught fire in the 4th inning, scoring nine runs to blow the game wide open.
The Padres and Guahan Masters were locked in a 2-2 tie heading into the 3rd inning where they started to gain separation.
Guahan Masters Laurence “Lots” Idelbong and Jim Reyes brought their big bats in the 4th easily getting on base with hits through the outfield. A 2RBI double for Manny tacked on the double-digit lead grabbing a 12-2 advantage with just one out away.
The Padres managed to score one run in the 5th inning, but it wasn’t enough for the officials to call the game off, awarding the gold medal to the Guahan Masters.
Two-Year Tourney
The Masters baseball tournament featured visiting teams from Guam, the CNMI, and even Australia.
“These guys may not look like they can play baseball, but man they are a good bunch,” said Idelbong on facing off against the older Aussies.
The tournament in 2017 has been selected to be in Australia with most of the Guam competitors looking forward to that challenge.
PHOTO GALLERY:
(photo by Robert Balajadia)
(photo by Robert Balajadia)
(photo by Robert Balajadia)
(photo by Robert Balajadia)
(photo by Robert Balajadia)
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(AP/Carlos Osorio)
