By Robert Balajadia

The Tiyan Titans got the early jump on the JFK Islanders, but the home team Isanders settled in and played strong defense to upend the Titans 5-1 in the first round of the IIAAG boys baseball playoffs.

Islanders Nolan Chamberlain had six K’s on the day and pitched the entire seven innings for JFK, getting him the win over the Titans Nohea Blas. After giving up one run in the 1st inning, Chamberlain and the Islanders played mistake free baseball.

“We seem to come out slow all season, but we’ve always been able to battle back. Our defense was spot on today. You can’t ask your defense to be perfect, but we can limit the errors and that’s exactly what we did today,” said Chamberlain on the win.

JFK didn’t get on the board until the 4th inning after a Titans error in the infield allowed Islander runners AJ Benavente and Devin Duenas to trot safely to first and second. Islander Luke Iguel then checked in with an RBI single to tie the game with Blas struggling at the mound.

Blas then walked Tomas Sablan with the bases loaded to give JFK the 2-1 lead and a fielders choice on the next at bat allowed Iguel to score for a 3-1 advantage.

With the game still close in the 6th inning, Sablan shut the door on the Titans with an RBI triple that had the entire Islander dugout on their feet. Sablan slid safely to third and shared a laugh with bases coach Matt Muna after the oncoming throw hit Sablan in the back as he slid.

“It felt pretty good to carry my team on like that,” said Sablan on his 6th inning show. “We just really want to win our games and we’re going to keep fighting till the end.”

Sable then took advantage of a pass ball and sprinted all the way home to give JFK the definitive 5-1 lead heading into the final inning.

It was all up to Chamberlain to close out the game and he delivered getting a strikeout and two infield outs to secure the Islanders passing of the first round.

“We’re going to try and pick up where we left off at during this game but we do have to battle better in the beginning of the game,” added Chamberlain on what to expect form JFK during the rest of the playoffs.

“If it’s going to get harder then we’re just going to have to play harder,” added Sablan.

The Islanders will next face off against the FD Friars in the semifinals next Tuesday. The Southern Dolphins defeated the Sanchez Sharks 7-4 to advance to face the GW Geckos in the other semifinals game.

Wendy’s Players of the Game Nolan Chamberlain and Tomas Sablan secured the Islanders win over the Tiyan Titans.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Islander Nolan Chamberlain tries to get one base late in the 5th inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islanders Cole Palomo flips the grabbed grounder to teammate Freddy Degracia for a double play. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Titans Joel De Jesus creates contact with the ball for an infield fly. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Titans Nohea Blas fires off a fast ball during the 2nd inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islander Cole Palomo slides safely to second. (photo by Robert Balajadia)