FRIARS OFF TO GREAT START IN BASEBALL

By Patrick Lujan

The FD Friars are poised to defend their high school baseball title. With a major part of their roster coming back from last season and a good young core incoming, they are once again the big targets and they proved it with an 8-1 win over the Sanchez Sharks Saturday afternoon.

Senior 1st baseman Noa Mendiola led the way for the Friars going 3-for-3 at the plate (a homer shy of the cycle), including a walk and two stolen bases. His two-run, stand up triple in the sixth provided cushion against the steady Sharks.

“After getting walked my first at bat, I was looking to attack pitches in my zone,” said Mendiola, who is only one of three 12th graders on the squad.

“Something I was looking to change this season was to attack earlier in the count versus later. Overall, I felt confident at the plate today.”

– FD 1st baseman Noa Mendiola

Sanchez held their own as starter Felix Fejeran went toe-to-toe with FD freshman ace Gerson Hoebing, Jr. for the first couple of innings.

The Friars played small ball to finally get on the board in the third inning. After Mendiola and Aiden Aguon squeezed out perfectly hit singles, Andrew Perez dropped a perfect bunt single that drove in Mendiola for the first run of the game. Junior Vance Meno then launched a two-run triple to deep center to put the Friars up 3-0.

FD steadily added to the lead with two runs in the 5th and three more in the 6th.

Hoebing was solid on the mound going five innings, striking out five, walking two and giving up only two hits. Sophomore Landen Minor was rocky but settled when he needed to, giving up only a RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Sanchez’s Jathan Miner in the 6th.

Senior leadership

As talented as they are, the Friars are ripe with youth, leaving the senior of Mendiola, reigning league MVP Franklin Ninete, Jr. and Andrew Perez as the only 12th graders.

“This year as seniors we’re looking to create a dynasty at FD. With already one championship under our belt we look to repeat, and the journey starts with us. The responsibility is definitely there and we are trying our best to guide the team to another (title),” Mendiola added.

FD moves to 2-0. They beat Okkodo in the first game earlier this week 15-0. This was the Sharks opening game of the season.

Other Game

The Southern Dolphins also improved to 2-0 on the season with a 10-0 shutout over the Okkodo Bulldogs on Saturday.

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