*check out the video recap by GSPN’s Kyle Twardowski below
PRESS RELEASE – The 16U Western Pacific Series Friendly finished up five days of baseball this past weekend at Leo Palace Resort. The friendly exchange of baseball featured visiting team Philippines Habagat club team taking on the Guam Sinajana Giants club team.
The series featured 5 games fom Thursday June 18th through Sunday June 21st. After dropping the first four games to the Guam team the Philippines Habagat team was determined to end their trip to Guam with a win. Patrick Berba would drive in the go ahead run with a rbi groundout to break a 10-10 tie in the 6th inning and Alcer Jacinto would go the distance to pick up the win as Philippines Habagat would hold on for the 11-10 win in the series finale.
The Giants would jump out to an early lead but the Philippines would battle back to take a 10-8 lead going into the 5th inning. Jefferson Vergara would triple and Berba would drive him in for his third hit of the game to help give the PI team the lead.
Guam would battle back in the top of the 6th inning with Timmy Flores delivering a key two out two rbi single to tie the game back up at 10-10. The Philippines would answer in the bottom of the frame with Berba again delivering with a rbi grounout to put the Philippines on top. Jacinto would close out the Guam Giants in order to secure the 11-10 win.
Berba picked up SZ Player of the Game going 3-4 with three rbi and Jacinto notches the win with a complete game. Berba also finished the series as the top hitter on the PI team with a .467 average and 6 rbi.
The Guam Giants were powered by their offense and solid pitching taking four of the five games in the series friendly. The Giant’s Ethan De la Cruz was name the Most Valuable Player leading all hitters with a .643 batting average and picking up one win with a 0.00 era in the five game series.
Teammate Darryl Graham was named the Top Pitcher for his complete game three hit shutout performance in the 8-0 game two win. Graham also hit .600 and led the tournament with 8 runs and 6 rbi. TJ Perez picks up the Golden Glove award committing only two errors in 32 chances and turning in some nice plays at shortstop. Alcer Jacinto won the Utility Award leading the series with 12 innings pitched and also led with 5 stolen bases while hitting .375 for the Habagat team.
Guam Amateur Baseball would like to thank all the sponsors and fans for a great five days of baseball and especially the Philippines Habagat Club Team and Sinajana Mayor Robert Hoffman for bringing the kids out to play. For information on upcoming youth and adult Western Pacific Series events with teams coming to Guam please contact us at 649-9663.
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(AP/Carlos Osorio)
