Hustlers prevent sweep, keep hopes alive

The Hustlers kept their season alive and extended the best-of-five championship series in the SML Fall League with a convincing 13-7 victory over the Pirates yesterday at the Kan Pacific Baseball Field in Marpi.

The Hustlers, who were in a must-win situation after the Pirates took the first two games, used an eight-run explosion in the bottom of the sixth to steam ahead and force Game 4, which was scheduled for 10:30am today.

Playing a big part in the Hustlers’ charge was all-star Manny Sablan, who made his hitting do all the talking as he blasted four hits in five at bats, while scoring once and driving in five runners.

The two teams were neck and neck in the first two innings, with J.P. Sablan driving in Ben Jones to put the Pirates up 1-0 in the top of the first and Manny Sablan plating A.J. Allen to level the score for the Hustlers.

The Pirates continued to show positive signs in the top of the second inning as Luis Iguel led off with a triple and was quickly brought home on a single by B.J. Seman, 2-1.

The Hustlers, however, were able to keep pace with the Pirates as Franco Flores singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Eric Lizama, and trotted home on a sacrifice shot by Jerome Delos Santos, 2-2.

Focus then turned to the pitchers as Pirates ace James Kintol and Hustlers machine Jon Camacho kept hitters in check for the next three innings.

The Pirates finally ended the silence with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. J.P. Sablan reached on an error and later scored courtesy of an infield shot by Josh Dela Cruz. Tom Dela Cruz and Ray Dela Cruz, who both reached on singles, completed their journey around the diamond when Jon Villagomez reached on another Hustlers error, giving the Pirates a 5-2 lead.

The Pirates were in good shape but not for long as the Hustlers got into a roll and swung favor to their corner. With one out, Flores and Vince Sablan drew consecutive walks, which resulted in coach Craig Sanchez pulling Kintol and inserting Josh Dela Cruz on the mound.

The move didn’t slow the Hustlers down, though, as Lizama singled, and Delos Santos smacked a single that drove Flores home. Vince Sablan was plated courtesy of Allen’s single, Lizama crossed home plate on a balk, and Manny Sablan connected for a two-run triple before scoring. Ed Manibusan and Pat Alepuyo also scored, giving the Hustlers a 10-5 advantage.

The Pirates remained determined and closed in with another two runs in their next at bat as Jesus Iguel led off with a triple and scored on a double by Robert Bansil. B.J. Sablan then bruised the ball for a run-scoring triple, bringing the Pirates to within three runs, 7-10.

The Hustlers, though, were far from done as Manny Sablan drove in another two runs—Delos Santos and Allen—and scored.

Camacho then silenced the Pirates in the eighth and ninth innings for the complete-game win.

Allen also had a strong outing as he went 2-for-5 with three runs, a walk, a stolen base, and a run batted in while Delos Santos had two hits, two runs, and two RBIs before leaving the game after aggravating a hamstring injury.

“I’m going to relax so I can rest up and play [today],” Delos Santos said.

Jesus Iguel and Ray Dela Cruz each had two hits and a run to lead the Pirates while Seman went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Despite the loss, the Pirates are still in the driver’s seat as they lead the series, 2-1. A win by the Pirates today ends the season.