FRIARS MAKE STATEMENT AS TEAM TO BEAT

By Nick Akimoto

The Father Duenas Friars stand as the last team with a perfect record in high school baseball after a 12-4 victory against their cross-town rivals, the George Washington Geckos Tuesday evening at the Okkodo Baseball Field.

The sticks were hot from the beginning as the Friars would bring in three runs off of hits from Ayden Aguon, Vance Meno and Andrew Perez. The Geckos responded quickly as a blast from Jace Gumataotao would bring in two runs to make the score 3-2 just at the end of the first inning. 

The score held throughout the second as the Friars were forced to leave two runners on base after a nasty strikeout from GW starting pitcher Eden Sudo. FD relief pitcher Kaiden Weakley held the Geckos scoreless, despite subbing in with loaded bases, by catching a line drive and turning it over to third base for the double play.

“I’m always good under pressure. Just breathe and do you,”  said Weakley on the clutch play. 

Both teams began to ramp up the energy in the third as each side brought in two runs to make the score 5-4. FD’s Franklin Ninete, Jr. and Perez were both able to score thanks to sacrifice outs from the batters. GW brought in their two runs after a high hit to right field by Avian Gumataotao with bases loaded. FD’s Weakley ended GW’s scoring onslaught, however, by tagging out the would-be game tying run.

The fourth inning was scoreless as both teams bolstered their defense to quickly get three outs. That meant pressure was on at the top of the fifth, as FD went up to bat. The bases were loaded, and GW’s Eden Sudo looked like he was about to escape the inning after striking out two FD batters in a row. It was Weakley again who did exactly what his team needed to do, however. 

With two outs, Weakley caught the GW defense off guard with a bunt that allowed him to bring in Ninete Jr. while making it safely to first. FD’s Zach Muna was able to feed off of Weakley’s clutch play by immediately hitting a ball right right between the shortstop’s legs, bringing in two runs and giving FD an 8-4 lead. 

“These guys beat us last year.. [so] we wanted to come back and get this win. My coach just told me to hit that ball Far. So I just did my job,” said Muna on FD’s mentality going into the game and on the huge play. The Friars would go on to win 12-4, handing the Geckos their first loss of the season and maintaining the first place spot in the league. 

With just their second game of the season, GW knows there’s a lot of games left, meaning there’s a lot of time to improve. 

“We just need to fix our errors, and hit better,” said GW catcher Jace Gumataotao.

The Geckos face the Notre Dame Royals next while the Friars look to their next matchup against the Guam High Panthers.

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