SEAWALKERS TAKE GSPN SOFTBALL MASTERS

By Robert Balajadia

Sea Walkers Cash In Extra Innings

During pool play, the Seawalkers defeated Sindalu by just one point. In the potential final game, Sindalu fought back to force an “IF” game, winning by just one point as well. It was only fitting that the two teams would duke it out in extra innings where the Seawalkers exploded for nine runs to take the first ever GSPN Masters Softball Tournament.

Sindalu fought valiantly and scored five runs in the bottom of the 8th inning, but their efforts were cut short in large part to the play of Tournament MVP Mike Cepeda.

GSPN Tournament MVP Mike Cepeda, who also launched an opposite field homer to right that bounced off the road in the 3rd inning.

It appeared that Sindalu was about ready to steal the momentum in the bottom of the 7th inning, much like they did in the “IF” game, but Cepeda had other plans.

With runners on first and second, Cepeda made a leaping grab and stepped on the bag for a rally-killing double play to send the game into extra innings.

From there, the entire Seawalkers batting line-up brought in runs to take the first ever tournament title.

Sindalu Forces “IF” Game

Team Sindalu needed to force the “IF” game during Sunday evenings GSPN Masters Softball Tournament against the Seawalkers, and they did just that winning by the thinnest margins 16-15 in the bottom of the 7th inning.

Both teams had sizeable leads and made big runs to seemingly have in the game in the bag, but Sindalu drought the sticks in the final inning to score four runs to take the 16-15 win.

From being up 6-1 to being down 13-6, momentum had Sindalu down for the count heading into the bottom of the 6th inning.

Sindalu’s Steve Munoz played the perfect “pick-me-up” hitting a single to load the bases with just one out away. Sea Walkers pitcher Frank Cepeda walked in Jay Perez, but a Ken Cruz 2RBI double got the wheels rolling for Sindalu to cut the lead 13-10.

GSPN CEO and Sindalu’s Patrick Lujan played big to force the “IF” game. (photo by Joey Blas)

Jeff Nededog then hit the furthest shot of the game to end the inning with five runs score, the most allowed per inning this tournament, to get Sindalu within one run.

The Seawalkers responded in the top of the 7th inning with Russ Maratita bringing in one of two runs to take a three run lead 15-12.

Sindalu needed just three runs to tie, but they weren’t going to settle with more innings, they wanted that “IF” game.

GSPN’s very own CEO Patrick Lujan hit a lead single, followed by a Jesse Aguon hit that resulted in an error allowing Lujan to take third. In need of a big play, Sindalu turned to Roland Lumondsud for a 2RBI single to get within 15-14 with no outs away.

Cruz managed to come home on an error to tie, and the final run by Edwin Aguigui gave Sindalu the “IF” game win.

The 2015 GSPN Masters Softball Champion Sea Walkers.

Guam Women Masters In Cruise Control

After early resistance from Team Sakau, the Guam Women’s Masters cruised to a 20-7 win.

The Masters were the most dominant team during Sunday’s games and took siege in the 4th and 5th inning after falling behind early 5-1.

Evette Blau began start the runs for the Masters by getting an RBI triple. Blau was eventually brought home by Rita Aguon, and a hit by Michelle Peez helped the Master recapture the lead 7-5.

The 5th inning would only get better for the Masters as Blau, Jen, Marci Perez, and Elaine Sudo all added RBI’s to take a commanding 12-6 lead.

Sakau made a late run in the 6th inning by loading the bases, but the heads up plays by the infield stuffed an possibility of a comeback.

In the open 7th inning the Guam Masters closed out the game. Nanette closed out the 7th inning with an in the park homer, a 3RBI’s to add gravy to a 15-6 lead. With the bases loaded for Rita Aguon, a sac-fly poured in more runs in their already large lead.

Mel Sudo scored off an in-the-park homer to put the icing on the game, their largest of the day at 20-6.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Sindalu 3rd baseman Steve Munoz tags Seawalkers Jesse Balajadia for the out. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sindalu’s Josh Anderson just misses a short outfield fly. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sindalu’s Ken Cruz stikes a ball deep left for a stand-up double. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sindalu’s Steven Munoz takes a big swing. (photo by Joey Blas)

Russell Maratita hustles around second for the Seawalkers. (photo by Joey Blas)

Tournament MVP Mike Cepeda fires off a throw to home. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sindalu’s Jeff Nededog hits a home run in the 6th inning to complete a comeback. (photo by Joey Blas)

(photo by Joey Blas)

Sindalu’s Dom Terlaje has a good at bat with a single. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sea Walkers Frank Cepeda pitched the entire game. (photo by Joey Blas)