Winning debuts for Papa Bears, Old Stars

The Old Stars’ George David waits for the pitch during their game against Rubak in the 2016 Masters Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Olds Stars and Papa Bears prevailed in their respective debut games in the 2016 Masters Baseball League this week at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

In the league’s opening game last Monday night, the Papa Bears escaped with an 11-6 victory over the GSM Masters, while the Old Stars hammered Rubak, 42-13, last Wednesday.

The Old Stars had lost count of their runs as they came in a rush, allowing the team to finish the match an inning early. The masters games are played for only seven innings.

George David paced the Old Stars as he scored five runs and also had five RBIs. Manny Cabrera also recorded five runs and added three RBIs. Jess Mesa, James Fleming, and Manny Cabrera combined for 17 runs and six RBIs.

Tony Rogolifoi and Hanes Asanuma had three runs each for Rubak, Ted Minor chipped in two, while Mark Toves, Mabel Ngirngemelas, and Chel Castro contributed one each.
In the league’s opener, Papa Bears built enough cushion in the third inning and had to thank the rain in their victory over the GSM Masters.

The Papa Bears had nine runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead, which they managed to keep as the match was called off after five complete innings. It rained and game officials decided to consider the match a regular one and hand the win to the Papa Bears as the field was unsafe for play.

It was a tough break for the GSM Masters as they were rallying after getting five runs at the top of the fifth. The GSM Masters were scoreless in the first three innings before hitting the board in the fourth off Ben Hocog’s run from a fielder’s choice. Jerry Ayuyu’s two-run double, an RBI single each from John Terlaje and Tom Diaz, who also reached home off the Papa Bears’ error, moved the GSM Masters within three, 6-9.

The Papa Bears then gained some distance at the bottom of the fifth off a stolen base and hit by pitch before they were called for the third out and rain started to fall. It rained for several minutes, making the pitch unplayable.

Ben Lizama led the Papa Bears with his 3-for-3 performance at the plate and an RBI, while Jack Cepeda was only 1-for-3, but made two RBIs in the pivotal third inning. The Papa Bears gained two runs off the GSM Masters’ errors in the third and one from a passed ball.

Meanwhile, two more teams will debut in the league tonight as the BSI Aces takes on Sai-Sei at 6pm.