Close win for Patriots-Angels

Balas players are all smiles after winning their first game in the Natibu Sports Association Girls Fast-pitch League last Saturday at the Capitol Hill Ballfield. (Contributed Photo)

The Patriots-Angels escaped with a close victory over the Ayuyus, as the 2019 Natibu Sports Association Girls Fast-pitch and Boys Slow-pitch League kicked off last Saturdayat the Capitol Hill Ballfield.

The Patriots-Angels eked out a 7-6 win in their season-opening game. Behind by one after four complete innings, 3-4, the Patriots-Angels scored four at the bottom of the sixth and held the Ayuyus to two runs in the last three innings, including a shutout in the fifth and seventh to prevail in the first match in the girls division.

Kiara Camacho, Richelle Ramon, Kiana Aldan, and Cassandra Camacho crossed home plate at the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game away for good. Esperanza Magofna and Marcilyn Camacho mustered two runs in the Ayuyus’ unsuccessful comeback bid.

Balas 26, Niners 5
In the other fast-pitch game, Balas overwhelmed the Niners.

Balas’ red-hot offense and airtight defense propelled them to a 19-0 advantage after three innings and the Niners never made headway throughout the game, handing the former the early victory via 10-run mercy rule.

The Niners avoided being shut down in their opening game after scoring four runs at the top of the fourth inning. However, Balas countered with seven runs at the bottom of the fourth to close out the one-sided match.

Falcons 17, Braves 12
In the opening game for the boys slow-pitch division, the Falcons muscled their way past the Braves.

The Falcons upped the ante in the fourth and fifth inning, scoring four and five runs, respectively, to put the game out of the Braves’ reach. Kobe Lifoifoi, Pedro Maratita, Angel Iguel, and Ping Norita made it home at the bottom of the fourth inning for the Falcons. Lifoifoi and Maratita also rounded the bases in the fifth inning, while I.J. Teigita, Dennis Cabrera, and Keoni Serrano scored the three other runs for the Falcons in that frame.

Before the Falcons took over in the fourth and fifth, the match was tied, 8-all, after three complete innings. The Braves made their eight runs in the second inning, but were silent in the third and fourth, added four in the fifth, and went cold again in the last two.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays were awarded the outright win in the other match in the division, as the Ayuyus were not able to field enough players for the game.

The Ayuyus batter watches the ball, which later went through the Patriots-Angels catche’s hand during their game in the Natibu Sports Association Girls Fast-pitch League last Saturday at the Capitol Hill Ballfield. (Contributed Photo)