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Guam defeats Philippines 4-1
HUNDREDS of Guam's baseball fans spent their Fourth of July holiday at the Paseo Stadium in Hagåtña for some 2012 Asia-Pacific Big League Baseball Regional Tournament action.
To open the division tourney, Philippines took on Team Guam in the nightcap. Led by the pitching of Sean Cruz, Team Guam walked away victorious after picking up the 4-1 win. Cruz threw a no-hitter in seven innings of play.
The Philippines found some difficulty zeroing in on Cruz's pitches throughout the game. Cruz pitched a complete game, striking out three batters and walking one while recording his memorable feat. Cruz got Francisco Hashimoto to strike out for the final out of the game.
Both teams came storming out playing with superb defense in the first three innings of play. The closest either team got to posting a run was in the third inning when Polly-Card Luther hit a double, but to no avail.
After retiring the Philippine side in order, Guam returned to the plate in the bottom of the fourth and ended the scoreless game. Joseph Duenas led the inning off with a double to the outfield. On the ensuing play, Cody Dowless cracked a single to drive in Duenas and give Guam a 1-0 lead. Before the Guam side was retired, Dowless crossed home plate to make it a 2-0 game.
Guam would nearly duplicate the same feat in the fifth inning. Another three-up, three-down defensively gave them an opportunity on offense quickly. Luther and teammate Jermaine Tenorio scored to up the Guam lead to 4-0.
In their final chance at-bat, Philippines needed at least four runs to keep the game alive. However, despite giving up a run on errors, Guam's defense managed to preserve their starting pitcher's no-hitter after ending the side for the win.
Duenas led Guam going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Duenas doubled in the fourth-inning and singled in the fifth.
2012 Asia-Pacific Big League action resumes later today with game time at 5:15 p.m. at Paseo Stadium.
