Guam- LAB kicked off its opening weekend with plenty of sunshine, home runs and pitching. Three games on Saturday and Sunday promised a lot of amateur league baseball to enjoy Saturday’s action kicked off with the Yona Redhawks battling the Inarajan Gadaos. Yona jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with 4 runs in the first inning. Inarajan answered in the bottom half with two runs of their own with the leagues first home run off the bat of Jacob Quintanilla. But the Gadaos couldnt keep up with the Redhawks offense and Yona would score 10 runs in the 3rd inning to keep the lead and go on to win 18-8. Yona’s Kevin Acosta was 4 for 5 with 2 runs and 3 rbis. Inarajan’s Jacob Quintanilla was 2 for 2 with 1 hr, 2runs, 2rbi and 2 stolen bases.
Game two on Saturday was a southern matchup with the Ipan Devil Rays taking on the Merizo Rebels. This game was crazy-period. Merizo started the game off with 5 runs in each of the 1st and 2nd innings, however the Rays wouldnt go away scoring a run in every inning and battling back to take an 18-14 lead into the bottom of the 7th inning. Merizo came out in the 7th swinging scoring 3 quick runs to draw within one run of the Rays. Then the play of the night, Joseph Salas who earlier had homered for Merizo would steal home to tie the game. Merizo would then score the winning run on a passed ball to complete a dramatic comeback and take the win 19-18. Joseph Salas starred going 4 for 4 with a home run, 5 runs scored, 8rbi and 4 stolen bases. Salas would also pick up the win as pitcher of record.
In the final game of the night the Agana Heights Cougars took on the Agat Cardinals. This game was all about pitching as both teams struggled to get on base. The Cougars wold break through with one run in the 3rd inning and that would end up being all they needed as they held on to a 4-0 win for the first shutout of the LAB season. Shane MacDonald would pick up with win going 3 innings, allowing 0 earned runs, with 1 K and 3 walks. Agat’s starting pitcher Francisco Aguigui would pitch well but pick up the loss going 3 innings, allowing 1 earned run, only 2 hits with 1K and 4 walks.
Sundays games started off where Saturday left off with the AM Insurance Angels and the Southern Bobcats locking up in a tight pitching duel. The Angels would come out of the gates looking long ball with Paul Toves Jr and Matt Muna both hitting 1st inning homeruns to put the Angels up 2-0. That is how it would end with both teams going in order much of the game and pitching on both teams dominating. Bobcats starter Leo Eber would go 4 strong innings, with five Ks and only giving up two hits, unfortunately both homeruns by the Angels. Angel’s starter Derwin Aguon picked up the win going 4 innings, allowing 0 earned runs, with 8 Ks. RJ Joe would close out the last three innings with 5 K’s.
Sunday’s game two would match the Agana Heights King Car Chiefs against the Agat Reds. The Chiefs came out swinging and didnt stop. This was one of those games where nothing went right for the Reds and everything went right for the Chiefs. The Chiefs would win 33-0 in 5 innings and move to 2-0 on the season. Andrew Redligio was 2 for 2 for the Reds. Luke Tedtaotao added a home run for the Chiefs.
The final game of weekend action was between the Talofofo Rangers and Piti Pirates. The Rangers would put six quick runs on the board in the 1st inning. Pirates pitching would settle down though and hold the Rangers to one run until the 5th when the Rangers would put the game away. The Rangers Kagan Rabago would cap a five run 5th inning with home run and a 12-1 Talofofo win in five innings. RJ Cruz picks up the win for the Rangers striking out five in four innings.
Information from a press release.
frankie@spbguam.com
