
By Patrick Lujan
The pitcher-catcher duo of Brinnlyn Hardt and Rebecca Rapier powered the defending ISA Fastpitch Softball League champion Guam High Panthers over the Academy Cougars 17-2 Saturday morning at Guam High Field with the game ending in the bottom of the 4th inning because of the 15-run rule.
The matchup was an early-season anticipated showdown between the two teams that met up in the 2022 championship game, but Hardt’s brilliant pitching and a huge 15-run first inning for the Panthers proved to be too much for the young Cougars squad.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy (today),” the sophomore sensation Hardt said. “Our team has been working a lot and there’s things that we need to improve on, but I’m really proud of our team.”
Academy came out with guns blazing, touching up Hardt in the opening inning as Giana Sablan came up with a big opposite field RBI sliced down the left field corner and Zaeyah Tajalle added an infield RBI hit to give Academy a 2-0 lead.
Guam High quickly quelled any Cougar hopes as it launched 15 runs in the bottom half of the first, taking advantage of six walks and three hit batters from Academy starter Terah Topasna.
The offensive highlight in the big run was Rapier’s 3-run blast to dead centerfield for a monster home run. Madalyn Mansel, Morgan Piehl and Hardt added two-run singles in the inning as well.

Hardt settled down the rest of the way, striking out seven of the next 11 batters and not allowing another run after the first inning. She ended the day with nine strikeouts in the four innings of work, giving up only two hits.
“I think I pitched ok. I need to work on some of my movement pitches, but it was ok. We were really excited for this game.”
– Guam High star pitcher Brinlynn Hardt
Two walks, a hit batter and two passed balls off Academy relief pitcher Tyra-Lei Duenas in the fourth inning sealed the scoring at 17-2. The Cougars have only three returning starters.
Meanwhile in the Panthers dugout, a relaxed and fun mood was flowing with Rapier even making references to Michael Jackson dance moves in the infield.
In the other Saturday morning game, the Tiyan Titans won their season opener 14-2 over the JFK Islanders.
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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
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER 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

Basketball
MVP STARS SHINE IN TRITON HOOPS LEAGUE

Basketball
FAMILIAR FOES TO MEET FOR HOOPS CROWN

Basketball
ISLANDERS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Finals: Academy vs. St. Paul
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Finals