FRIARS EDGE ROYALS IN PITCHER’S DUEL

A rematch of the 2022 high school baseball championship game favored once again the FD Friars as freshman sensation Gerson Hoebing, Jr. and the Friars held off the Notre Dame Royals and senior star Nolan Cruz 2-1 Thursday night at the Okkodo Field.

Both Hoebing and Cruz pitched complete games, both giving up only three hits apiece and both striking out double digits – Hoebing with 13 and Cruz with 14 strikeouts.

All three runs were unearned with the Friars getting the break they needed in the top of the 7th inning to win it.

Top 7

With the game locked at 1-1, Cruz struck out the first two batters he faced before putting Noa Mendiola on base with a hit by pitch. Trying to catch Mendiola leaning at first, ND catcher Zhavier Panes overthrew first base and sent the ball into right field, allowing Mendiola to easily advance to third.

Mendiola would score the winning run when Royals second baseman Kyle Yoon dropped an easy Ayden Aguon infield fly.

Hoebing mowed down the bottom of the ND order in the bottom of the 7th, striking out the side to seal the deal.

Defensive Gem

ND had a royal opportunity in the bottom of the 6th, putting two runners on base. Elijah Asuncion ripped a shot to left that looked like a run producer, but Vance Meno came up with a highlight-worthy diving catch that instantly switched momentum.

“That’s what saved the game for them,” ND manager Dominic Cruz said.

The Friars are a perfect 3-0 while the Royals drop to 1-2, both losses in close games to FD and Southern.

In the first game of the night, the Tiyan Titans won their season opener 14-4 over the Guam High Panthers.

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