Balas pounds Ayuyus for strong finish

Balas crushed the Ayuyus, 24-7, in the final game in the regular season of the Natibu Sports Association Girls Fast-pitch and Boys Slow-pitch Softball League last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

A 4-0 lead after the first inning gave Balas the momentum en route to the lopsided win. Balas took advantage of the Ayuyus pitcher’s shaky performance early on, as five batters from the former were given free pass to first that eventually led to easy scoring opportunities.

Balas remained in control to finish the game in five innings and complete the regular season with a 4-1 record for the No. 2 spot in the final team standings. The Ayuyus ended up with a 1-4 mark to rank third.

The No. 2 seed added seven runs in the second inning against the three of the Ayuyus. Apple Tyquiengco delivered three runs in that period, as her homer also drove in Amy Cabrera and Tamisha Sablan. Then in the third inning, Balas made seven runs, too to put the match out of the Ayuyus’ reach. Balas capitalized on the Ayuyus’ errors to duplicate their second-inning output. For the last two innings, it was still Balas’ show, 12-4.

Tyquiengco and Keona Rogopes led Balas with four runs apiece, while Amy Cabrera, Angel Deleon Guerrero, and Jaime Pangelinan had three each.

The Ayuyus and Balas will clash again this Saturday at 12pm in a win-or-go-home match, as they dispute the second finals berth.

Patriots-Angels 34, Niners 5
The first match in the division was also one-sided, as the Patriots-Angels clobbered the Niners in six innings.

The Patriots-Angels scored at a feverish pace, as they recorded seven runs in each of the first five innings and capped off their dominant performance with six runs in the sixth.

The Niners, on the other hand, only managed to score in two innings—two in the second and three in the third.

Cassandra Camacho highlighted the Patriots-Angels’ blowout win with a grand slam in the third inning. She brought home Kiana Aldan, Kiana Camacho, and Richelle Ramon. Aldan earlier hit a home run in the second inning, as she, Cassandra Camacho, and Mariko Laniyo finished with five runs each. Ramon, Kiana Camacho, and Kristine Deleon Guerrero added four runs apiece.

The Patriots-Angels wrapped up the regular season at No. 1, as they earned an unbeaten 6-0 record, while the Niners landed at No. 4 with their dismal 0-6 mark.

The highly favored Patriots-Angels will duel the last-ranked Niners in the 10am playoff match this Saturday with the first finals ticket at stake.