Sakudi draws first blood in BASA women’s finals

Sakudi defeated the Hitters, 13-4, in the opening game of the 2008 Belau Amateur Softball Association League women’s finals last Sunday at the Dandan Ballfield.

The win gave the Sakudi a 1-0 lead and it could wrap up the best-of-three semifinal series when the two teams meet again in Game 2 on Nov. 2.

There will be no game this Sunday, Oct. 26, due to the unavailability of the playing venue.

BASA president Brian Adelbai said the wildcard entry for the Final Four in the 2008 Budweiser King of the Diamonds would be played at the ballfield.

Sakudi used a commanding 10-1 lead early on in the game, five in the bottom of the first inning and five in the second, on the way to the overpowering win.

Kayla Techur, Pauline Tudela, and Jenny Palacios scored three runs each, including one each in the bottom of the fourth that gave Sakudi a 13-1 advantage and never look back.

Ank Ngirbedul scored the game’s first run in the top of the first but the Hitters could only manage to make a hit twice in the next five innings as they groped for form.

Emy Quitugun, Daylin Joseph, and Thelma Mizer reached home plate in the seventh inning but that was the best the Hitters could do in the game.

Sakudi’s pitcher Charlene Cabrera charged back with two successive groundouts, on third base against the Hitters Felisa Brel and Edwina, for the morale-boosting win.

Last Oct. 12, Sakudi defeated Atu Asi, 12-1, in the semifinals to arrange the title-showdown with the Hitters.

The Hitters, on the other hand, advanced via a hard-earned 9-7 decision at the expense of Ohn Sakau.

In the men’s division playoffs, Brotherhood and SaiPal arranged a semifinal match-up after winning over their respective rivals on Sunday.

Brotherhood, the pennant winner, extended its victory run by beating PIC, 11-0, to advance.

SaiPal survived a late rally by PTI to prevail by a narrow margin, 9-7.

In the other semifinal match-up, the Choll Aces and the Man Amigos will vie for the slot, to be also played on Nov. 2.

Man Amigos came from behind to nail the league’s closest game of the season, a 2-1 decision over Auel Auel.

Both teams did not score in the first five innings until Mike Taitano reached home plate on a single by Stan Aldan.

Pete Sablan and Jeff Cabrera saved the day for their team with one run each in the seventh and final inning and Man Amigos staved off elimination.

The Choll Aces also advanced to the semifinals by hammering out a 13-2 victory over Ready Mix.