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Akkari foils Natibu in Sta. Remedios softball
Team Vinnie members pose for a group shot after finishing third in last weekend’s Sta. Remedios Slow-pitch Softball Tournament. (Contributed Photo)
Akarri, which lost to Natibu in the elimination round and had to beat Team Vinnie in the playoffs to book a finals spot, banked on Ray Saralu’s consistent hitting to get back at their tormentors.
Akarri trailed for most part of the match but made their move in the top of the fifth to move ahead, 9-8.
A Saralu sacrifice fly RBI highlighted the Akarri comeback.
After holding Natibu to a single run in the bottom of the fifth, Saralu again stepped up to the plate and with the bases loaded with one out and sent Jerome Delos Santos’ third pitch sailing past the left field fence to enjoy a 13-8 lead.
Akarri, which also scored a 15-9 decision over Team Vinnie behind Saralu’s two homeruns in the semis, did not let the opportunity slip away and played solidly in the last two innings to complete the win.
Natibu, for sweeping its way to the finals, enjoyed a twice-to-beat advantage but both teams and organizers decided to no longer play the second game due to the heavy downpour that flooded the field.
Kyle Kaipat bested 10 other batters to rule the homerun derby, which is a regular side event in every baseball and softball tournament on the island.
The tournament was held as a fundraising event for next month’s Sta. Remedios Fiesta in Tanapag.
Another tournament will be held next weekend, from Sept. 19 to 21, also at the Capital Hill Ballfield. (Jon Perez)
