Peleliu, Brotherhood race for pennant

Momma Charu’s Ron Olopai, left, eyes the ball during their game against the S.A. Masters in the 2017 Belau Masters Men’s Softball League at the Dandan Softball Field. (Jon Perez)

Peleliu escaped with a 12-8 win over Brotherhood last Sunday at the Dandan Softball Field, making the race for the pennant of the 2017 Belau Masters Men’s Softball League more interesting.

The two teams are tied for the lead with their similar 13-2 records heading to the final matches on Oct. 8.

Peleliu used two four-run innings in handing Brotherhood its second loss this season. Brotherhood was previously undefeated, but Momma Charu ended the former’s bid for a 16-game sweep with a 16-3 crushing last Aug. 21.

Four Peleliu batters blasted a home run each in the victory with Rush Kintaro hitting 3-for-3 to go with his double and two RBIs. He also pitched a complete game, giving up 11 hits with one strikeout, while forcing Brotherhood’s batters to hit grounders, line drives, and flyouts. Parker Yobech and Walter Macaranas each went 2-for-3 and had a double apiece. Mobel Ngirngemelas belted a grand slam in the sixth inning for a 2-for-2 batting and four RBIs and two runs.

Bill Camacho, Tom Diaz, and Ken Kalen combined for 6-for-12 in batting and four runs, while Carl Hocog and Jerry Ayuyu each batted 1-for-3 and scored a run apiece to go with their three and two RBIs, respectively, for Brotherhood. Hocog had a three-run homer in the fourth, while Ayuyu belted a two-run homer in the second.

S.A. Masters 12, Momma Charu 9

Phil Celis, Jack Guerrero, and Reno Celis each finished with 3-for-4 in batting to lead the Masters to their eighth win in 14 matches.

Phil Celis homered, scored three times, and had an RBI, while Guerrero had two runs and two-run homer in the third. Phil Celis touched home plate twice and also scored a double and two RBIs.

Nizer Masayos went 3-for-4 with two runs—homer in the first—and two RBIs for Momma Charu, which despite the loss remained in third place with its 10-5 record. Bernard Kileleman, 1-for-3, had a two-RBI triple in the fourth.

Papa Bears 22, Red Torch 5
Batting leader Jojo Attao, 4-for-5, drove in seven runs, including a grand slam and a solo dinger in the second and fifth innings, respectively.

The Papa Bears improved to 4-10, while handing Red Torch its 15th loss in as many games.

Joseph Celis pitched a complete game in holding Red Torch to six hits with a strikeout and no walk.