THE SALAZAR Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Blazing Batters reclaimed its title as Cebu’s best softball team after dislodging the Isle Of Man (IOM) Sluggers in a thrilling 4-3 victory to win the Vice Governor Greg Sanchez Softball Cup Senior’s A Division title at the Labangon Elementary School grounds yesterday.
When the strong hitters failed to lift the team, SCSIT banked on its small guys to step up to the challenge.
SCSIT was trailing 2-3 at the bottom of the final inning and IOM’s defense quickly took out two strong hitters—John Magno and Jackson Genolaga.
But the smaller players of SCSIT—Abrine Pautan, Serfico Tabares, Russel Cabrera and Rolly Bacarisas—stepped up to frustrate IOM.
With two players out, Pautan drove a low hit to the left field for a single base. Tabares also did the same hit for another single base. Cabrera then sent Pautan to the home plate with a low hit on the center field, which evened the game at 3-3.
Third base Bacarisas then made a perfect bunt that allowed Tabares to reach home and the team won the game.
Alinto Adolfo first scored a homer for the IOM Slugger in the opening inning but Michael Oyao made an run-batted-in double that saw Genaro Macayan and Sherwin Tabar to the home plate at the bottom of the first for a 2-1 lead.
Playoff
IOM tied the game with catcher Allen Diniola driving a homer into the right field at the top of the fourth inning. Louie Ramos gave IOM the lead using the hit of Emmie de la Cerna to the center.
Salazar’s win was sweet as they needed to defeat Aldritz Pau De Arco 5-1 in the morning’s playoff game.
Oyao was also the reason for the win as he struck a home run on a full-bases situation at the bottom of the fifth inning, breaking a 1-1 deadlock and sending Rolly Bacarisas, Genaro Macayan and Sherwin Tabar home. (RCM)
