Cyclones take home Masters baseball crown

The Cyclones finally put an end to an interesting championship game in the SML Masters League, edging the Typhoons, 16-15, at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field yesterday.

The game, which began last weekend, came to a close when veteran slugger Mel Sakisat stepped up to the plate and connected for a double, driving in Ben Duenas for the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The run capped an impressive comeback by the Cyclones, who trailed by 10 runs after the first four innings of play.

The Typhoons were rocking in the early goings, scoring three runs in the opening inning last Sunday as Paul Camacho and Dave Kapileo both singled and scored, and Dennis Cruz reached on an error before crossing home plate.

After shutting down the Cyclones, the Typhoons went back to work and added another four runs in the second inning, 7-0, with Ivan Igitol singling, Leo Bobai reaching on another error, Camacho pounding a double, and Kapileo and Cruz smacking singles. Igitol, Bobai, Camacho, and Kapileo each rounded the diamond for the runs.

The lead was increased to 11-0 as the Typhoons continued to bust out a pounding on their opponents with another four runs in the top of the third. Randall Aguon and Bobai highlighted the spree with a triple and double, while Kapileo and Igitol each had a single to push their team ahead.

The Cyclones finally broke their silence in the bottom of the third when Duenas singled and scored on a pass ball, 1-11.

Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the Typhoons were able to respond and scored two more runs, 13-1.

That’s when the tables turned as the Cyclones were determined not to be embarrassed in the championship game and began making some noise. The team began their rally with two runs in the bottom of the fourth as Mike Muna singled and scored, and Duenas crossed home plate after reaching on a fielder’s choice, 3-13.

The Cyclones squad was far from done as Sakisat, Tony Camacho, Muna, and Taylor Watanabe each reached on singles and were all brought home, 7-13.

The Typhoons were held scoreless again, and the Cyclones took advantage during their turn at the plate in the sixth inning, scoring another four runs to pull within two, 11-13.

The team finally pulled even with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, 13-13. Manny Tenorio led off with a single, stole second and third, and scored, and Dennis Renguul drew a base on balls before scoring the tying run.

Camacho, who belted a double on his plate appearance, was trying to score the winning run later in the inning but was called out at home—a call questioned by Camacho and his team. Camacho was ejected from the game before heavy rain forced officials to reschedule the bout.

The Typhoons seemed to have control early yesterday and took the lead with two runs in the top of the eighth when Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice and Diego Benavente smacked an inside-the-park home run for a 15-13 lead.

The Cyclones, however, proved they were destined for the crown, scoring two runs before Sakisat brought in Duenas for the win.

Duenas went 3-for-5 with three runs, and Sakisat and Tony Camacho each went 3-for-5 with two runs to lead the Cyclones.

Kapileo led the Typhoons, going 3-for-4 with two runs while Aguon had three hits and a run scored.

Awards for the league will be presented on Wednesday.