Connect with us

Softball

HARDT, RAPIER LEAD PANTHERS OVER COUGARS

Guam High cruises in championship game rematch

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.

Guam High catcher Rebecca Rapier connects on a three-run homer to deep centerfield. (photo by Tanya Gillins)

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.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

November

December 2023

January
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
Events for November

1st

Events for December

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for December

3rd

Events for December

4th

Events for December

5th

Events for December

5th

No Events
Events for December

7th

Events for December

8th

Events for December

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for December

10th

Events for December

11th

Events for December

12th

Events for December

12th

No Events
Events for December

14th

Events for December

15th

Events for December

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for December

16th

No Events
Events for December

18th

Events for December

19th

Events for December

19th

No Events
Events for December

21st

Events for December

22nd

Events for December

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for December

23rd

No Events
Events for December

24th

No Events
Events for December

25th

No Events
Events for December

27th

Events for December

27th

No Events
Events for December

29th

Events for December

29th

No Events
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
Events for December

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

  • IIAAG Girls Basketball Finals: Academy vs. St. Paul
  • IIAAG Boys Soccer Finals

QUICK HITS

The Au Mana volleyball club claimed their 2nd straight Lady Triton Volleyball League champions with a straight set victory of the Guam Pro 1 team.
——————————————————-
Four fitness athletes recently represented Guam in the Tokyo Olympia Amateurs 2023 competition in Japan.
Danielle Reyes – Classic
Joel Tudela – Classic
EJ Rosete – Classic
Alexander Slomka – Men’s Physique

More in Softball