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.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Basketball
TENORIO NAMED IIAAG HOOPS MVP
Basketball
TENORIO NAMED IIAAG HOOPS MVP
Volleyball
CHEN, EUGENIA ARE EMPRESSES OF THE BEACH
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon