Freedom Air, Jets oust rivals in Budweiser softball league

Freedom Air made it two in a row in the loser’s bracket of the 2009 Budweiser Inter-Government/Business Slow-pitch Softball League playoffs after eliminating Docomo, 15-12, Tuesday night at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

Reno Celis went 3-for-4 to lead Freedom Air to victory.

The veteran clouter doubled in his first at bat and recorded two homeruns in the third and fourth innings. He also had an intentional walk in the sixth to help Freedom Air stall Docomo’s comeback attempt late in the match.

Roy Celis added two more homeruns in the third and sixth.

Freedom Air led 10-0 in the top of the fifth, needing only one swing of the bat to take the outright win via mercy run rule.

But after hitting only thrice after four innings, Docomo players started finding their target and came up with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Freedom Air made it 12-3 in the top of the sixth, while Docomo exploded anew with six runs in the bottom of the sixth to move within four, 12-8.

Reno Celis, Ton Aguon, and Ken Villagomez scored anew for Freedom Air as they increased their lead to 15-9 after the top of the seventh.

Docomo collared three more runs in the bottom of the frame before Freedom Air took the win on two consecutive flyouts to right and center.

In Tuesday’s second game, the Joeten Motor Jets ousted No Zone, 11-6, to keep their finals hopes alive.

Freedom Air and the Jets were set to play in a sudden death match late last night with the winner earning the chance to go up against the loser of the game between defending champion and pennant winner Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Beach Boys.

The DCCA-Beach Boys winner’s bracket showdown was also scheduled last night with the winner to gain the outright championship berth.

DCCA streaked to its 21st win in as many games of the season by sending Docomo to the loser’s bracket, while the Beach Boys prevailed over No Zone.

In women’s play, pennant winner Northern Marianas College bounced back with a 14-4 victory over Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Kuki Pangelinan led NMC with 3-for-3 stint with two runs, while Felisa Brel went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a run.

The win arranged another playoff encounter between NMC and DCCA in the loser’s bracket.

Last Friday, DCCA scored a 14-7 upset win over NMC in the winner’s bracket.

But Finance sent DCCA to the loser’s bracket on Monday night with a 8-4 win.

The winner between DCCA and NMC will meet Finance tomorrow with the latter having a twice-to-beat advantage.