Advance to semifinals
AS PLAYOFF action in the Guam Amateur Baseball Latte Spring League continues to roll on, teams remaining are giving it their all in hopes of reaching the league’s championship match.
In a recent match, the Yona Red Hawks took on the Agana Heights King Car Chiefs at the Okkodo Baseball Field. After six complete innings of play, the Chiefs earned the right to advance into the semifinals after doubling-up on the Red Hawks for the 6-3 victory.
Agana Heights got their offense started in the second inning to push across a run to take the early 1-0 lead. Paul Untalan Jr. led the inning off with a single to put a runner on base. Several plays later, Mike Blas stroked a double to drive in Untalan.
Defensively, the Chiefs continued to hold the Red Hawks to zero productivity after two-and-a-half-innings of play. In the bottom of the third inning, Agana Heights increased their lead to 4-0 after scoring three runs. A walk and double by Jeremy McDonald and Keith Castro respectively put two Chiefs runners on base. It was immediately after when Vic Villagomez hit a two-RBI single to make it a three-run Agana Heights lead. Before the Red Hawks could get out of the inning, Pete Grey capped off the rally with an RBI-double to add another run.
Later in the fifth inning, Yona managed to cut their deficit to 4-3 after finally being able to get through Agana Heights starting pitcher Stan Walton. The Red Hawks' offense started out with a single and walk by Mark Parks and Tony Quenga. Yona’s first run crossed home plate after a costly error by the Chiefs allowed Parks to score. Later in the inning, a Jimmy Manila double drove in two more Yona runners to make it a one-run ballgame. In the bottom half of the inning, Agana Heights answered back with two runs of their own to increase their lead to 6-3.
Heading into the top of the sixth, Yona’s opportunities were facing the clock due to the league’s time-limitation rule. Walton was on key from the mound and was able to retire the Yona side without allowing any chance of a comeback. As the game-time expired, Agana Heights was declared victors and will advance in the post-season.
With the win, the Chiefs have set up a semifinals date with the Northern A’s. The two teams will collide tomorrow night at the Okkodo Baseball Field.
Click here for GABL post-game stats.
