By Robert Balajadia

A hot start, a furious comeback, and a strong finish were the ingredients used to cook up one exciting girls softball championship game.

In less than 24 hours the JFK Islanders have captured two high school sports titles, a Friday night win in boys basketball, followed by a Saturday afternoon girls softball title over the Academt Cougars at the Leo Palace softball field. The Islanders defeated the Cougars 10-6 while holding off a rally of epic proportions.

“This is amazing, I can’t even explain it,” said Islanders first-baseman Frankel Leon Guerrero on being the champs, the first time a new champion has surfaced after the Southern Dolphins had won the previous five.

Up 5-1 after a blazing 2nd inning, the Islanders tacked on another run courtesy of Kaitlin Blaz to command a 6-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 4th inning. In dire need of a spark, the Cougar dugout and faithful fan base kept cheering on as they knew their best was yet to come.

“We wanted it bad, we wanted to win. As for us seniors, we wanted to win it more than anyone because it was our last year,” said Islanders starting pitcher Audrey George.

Then it happened, the wild bottom half of the 4th inning.

JFK Islander players storm the field defeating AOLG to win the 2015 IIAAG girls fast pitch championship. (photo by Joey Blas)

Taking Back Momentum x56

After a sixth inning of quick three-and-outs by both teams, the Islanders would make a stand in the 7th where the game was won.

Islander Pillar George brought in a run on a sac-fly to give JFK a one-run lead, also reviving some life back into the since quiet JFK crowd. With two outs away and with just a slim lead, no one was more prepared than Islanders Leon Guerrero.

Without hesitation, on Cougars Meagan Maratita’s second pitch, Leon Guerrero unloaded for a big shot right down the wrong side of the field for the Cougars, rounding out a 2RBI triple to take a game closing 9-6 lead.

“I’m in this batting box so I have to bring it all,” said Leon Guerrero approaching her at-bat against Maratita. “I just wanted to hit the ball so far out that [Academy] couldn’t tag me out. We had an extra batting practice last night, and some good tips from coach Pat Fejeran, on how to hit [Maratita’s] pitches. Our coaches work so hard for us and we just wanted to work just as hard for them.”

An error added another run for the Islanders to head into the final inning with a 10-6 lead, which was too much for the Cougars to overcome.

The Islander boys defeated the FD Friars 56-54 to win the boys basketball title last night, and the number “56” became more than just a final score and instead became a symbol of inspiration for the softball team. Leon Guerrero issued out some encouraging words via the groups What’sApp chat saying,

“We were following all of [GSPN] Twitter posts and updates from that game and it was so intense. The boys scored 56 points last night so we were saying that we needed to play 56x harder today.

Audrey George knew that if the Islanders were going to win the title, the game would be in her hands come the bottom of the 7th inning. After giving up a four-run lead, cooler heads prevailed for George as she managed to close out the final inning after just three at bats.

“We didn’t give up, we just kept our heads up and continued playing. The game was far from over,” said Audrey on what her thought process was heading into the final inning.

George also added to the group cell-phone chat saying, “The boys win just gave us more motivation for us to win, to represent the Islander spirit.”

Now, the girls What’sApp chat is sure to be flooded with those trophy emoticons and selfies with the championship plaque.

JFK pitcher Audrey George delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against AOLG. (photo by Joey Blas)

Don’t Call It A Comeback

With no outs, Cougars lead batter Juliana Nelson got a huge smack on the ball and was able to advance to third base off an error. Next Cougar batter, Kiana Rivera, then erupted the field with a deep shot to the left side of the field for a two-run in the park home run to cut the lead 6-3.

The Cougars weren’t done yet as Jasmine Tereas smacked a triple off Islanders starting pitcher Audrey George which became a trend in the inning. Following Tereas, teammate Doriaun Calvo attacked the left side of the field once more getting an RBI triple to get within 6-4. Academy tacked on another run to get within a single score ending the monstrous inning.

Academy closed out the top of the 5th inning, and with all the momentum going their way, more runs were in the forecast, along with the light showers.

Usually, pitchers are told to play safe in order to avoid injury, but nothing was stopping Cougars starting pitcher, and league MVP Meagan Maratita, from tying the ball game in the 5th inning. Maratita played a good hit deep right and stormed the bases with her sideline coach giving her the green lights.

Maratita tagged third and was then in a race from the outfield throw to home. The league MVP slid on her back, laying out her entire body, meeting the throw by the Islanders catcher. The umpire on the play ruled Maratita safe, tying the game at six.

Cougars Doriaun Calvo flies out to right field to start the top of the 7th inning. (photo by Joey Blas)

PHOTO GALLERY:

Islanders first baseman Frankel Leon Guerrero makes a nice grab at first base to end the game. (photo by Joey Blas)

Ilanders Janise Santa Romana fields a ground ball at third base, and throws the runner out at first to end the game. (photo by Joey Blas)

Cougars Jasmine Balajada catches an infield pop fly short stop to end the inning. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFK’s Kawehi Morton finds the gap in right field for the single. (photo by Joey Blas)

Cougars Meagan Maritita delivers a pitch in the championship game against JFK. (photo by Joey Blas)

Cougars Christiana Cruz drives the ball to right field for a single. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFK Ciara Cali fields the ground ball at short stop and throws the runner out at first base. (photo by Joey Blas)