By Robert Balajadia

After starting the boys high school baseball season (1-4), the Sanchez Sharks have caught fire winning five-straight games to improve to (6-4) with their latest win coming against the top seeded GW Geckos Wednesday evening at the Okkodo Field.

Sanchez exploded for four runs in the 4th inning and played sound defense in the closing innings to hand the Geckos a 4-3 defeat, which is just their second loss this season (8-2-1).

Late game drama ensued in the top of the 7th inning with Sharks pitcher Hudson Pelep in charge of holding off a Gecko comeback. The 4-3 lead was in jeopardy early with Pelep giving up a base hit and a walk to put GW in scoring position. Pelep managed to strike out Geckos batter Rico Seman and force a fly out on the next batter Kenji McCarthy.

“I’ve been through worst situations that today,” said Pelep. “There was no pressure really and today was just another good game and big inning. I was trying to hit my mark on my fast balls and I kept trying to change it up all game.”

GW’s next batter Allan Gillan was facing a full count until Pelep eventually walked him to load the bases. With two outs away, Geckos Isaiah Nauta had the game tying run on his hands and nearly came away with a lead-changing hit after sending a grounder to third base.

Ready and waiting, Sharks Sigfrido Sanchez slid down on both knees to corral the catch and sprint his way back to the bag to force the final out.

“I was ready,” said Sanchez on the big catch. “I had no idea it was coming my way, I thought it they were going to try and hit it far right. My coach always tells us to get down on the ball and when I saw it coming my way I knew it was time to do exactly what coach said.”

Sanchez’s late game heroics on the defensive end won the Sharks the game, but his RBI single in the 4th inning gave his team the deciding run. The Sharks scored all four runs in the 4th with two coming off a Geckos pass ball.

Hitter Dan Cruz sparked with a lead-off double which gave the offense an uptick to allow Sigfrido and teammate Jacob Concepcion to collect an RBI each.

Wendy’s Players of the Game Sanchez Sharks Third Baseman Sigfrido Sanchez and Pitcher Hudson Pelep.

“Our offense came together when we really needed it to. We worked as a team and in the end it all worked out,” said Sanchez on the teams offense.

GW struck first blood in the 4th inning after a 2RBI single from Rodney Cruz. McCarthy got a much needed RBI in the top of the 5th inning for the Geckos who still trailed 4-3 heading into the closing 7th. Sanchez kept GW off the bases for a quick three-and-out in the 6th inning before the games thrilling finish.

“We finally have our teamwork down after starting out slow. All we have to do now is keep on moving,” added Pelep.

GW’s Reed Seman gets the loss with both pitchers playing the whole game.

Other Scores

FD 7, Tiyan 6

JFK 15, Guam High 5

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Geckos pitcher Reed Seman fires away a pitch in the 2nd inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sharks Hudson Pelep sprints his way to third base after a base hit from a teammate. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

GW’s Kenji McCarthy tags the stumbling Shark runner trying to steal second base. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sharks Joe Quintanilla readies for the on coming pitch from Geckos Seman. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Geckos Rico Seman gets struck out in the top of the 7th inning by Sharks Hudson Pelep. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Geckos outfielder makes a play on the fly out to end the 5th inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sharks Joe Quintanilla gets a base hit to advance his teammate to scoring position. (photo by Robert Balajadia)