
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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GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs