The young and talented 76 Kings captured the 2024 Spring Amateur Baseball League championship over the Cardinals 4-3 Saturday afternoon at the Okkodo Baseball Field.
The Kings – essentially the 23U Junior National Team – jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held off a late 3-run Cardinals rally in the sixth inning.
Starting pitcher Franklin Ninete, Jr. tossed five scoreless innings to help the cause while the offense managed four runs on just five hits.
Nolan Cruz helped put the Kings on the board with an RBI triple in the opening inning. They would tack on two more runs in the third inning on two wild pitches by Cardinals starter Shane McDonald to make it 3-0.
The Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the 6th off reliever Arren Yatar. After two walks to open the inning, Kaleb Cruz drove in the first run on a single. A fielder’s choice drove in the second run and Cruz would later score on a Yatar wild pitch to tie the game 3-3.
The Kings scratched out the game-winning run the unconventional way. Aden Aguon was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Javen Pangelinan singled to send Aguon to third base. Ricky Leon Guerrero drew a walk to load the bases. Nolan Cruz then drew a walk to drive in Aguon for the game winner.
Kaleb Cruz stroked the only two hits of the day for the Cardinals.
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QUICK HITS
Matsuno’s second place finish earned him an invitation to compete in the FCG Junior Golf Championship to be held in July 2025.
A junior at St. John’s, he is also currently leading the IIAAG high school All-Island golf competition, chasing the coveted individual high school golf title.
