The Pirates pose for a photo with the championship trophy during the awards ceremony of the 2023 SBL Masters League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
The Dodgers pose for a photo with the 2nd place trophy during the awards ceremony of the 2023 SBL Masters League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
THE Pirates have proven to be the best of the best by outlasting the Dodgers in an exciting game 3 finale of the 2023 SBL Masters League championship series at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
The stage was set for an epic showdown between two titans with the victor taking the spoils. The Pirates were led by the season’s RBI and doubles leader, Audie Maratita, while the Dodgers had the batting leader, Glen Camacho.
The Dodgers struck first, scoring a run in the top of the opening inning with John Acosta earning an RBI walk via base on ball.
The Pirates responded with four runs delivered by Pete Sablan, Mario Aguon and Vinnie Sablan, who earned an RBI each. The fourth run was scored off an error to give the Pirates a 4-1 lead.
But the Pirates fell into a defensive slump in the top of the second, giving the Dodgers the opportunity to mount a rally with three of their four runs scored off errors. The Pirates then equalized in the bottom half with three runs to maintain the upper hand, 7-5.
Back and forth the game went, but the Pirates managed to pull further ahead with seven runs while the Dodgers could only score two.
Down 7-14, the Dodgers continued to give it their all with two runs added in the fifth and one more in the sixth, but the Pirates remained just as persistent, scoring two runs to lead 16-10.
In the top of the seventh and final inning, the Dodgers were met with two strikeouts by substitute pitcher Pete Sablan. The Dodgers continued to keep their heads up and were rewarded with a run off an error. However, the following play led to a fly ball for the easy catch with the Pirates claiming the win, 16-11.
“I think the Dodgers are a good team with a good pitching staff. I think the Pirates just pulled through and it came down to who scored the most runs,” said Pirates Coach Nate Camacho.
“Heading into the last game, we knew they [the Pirates] were prepared. Ultimately, we executed when the time was right, and things worked out,” team manager Jay Kintol said.
One of the Pirates’ key decisions during the game was to bring in pitcher Pete Sablan in the seventh and final inning. “Pete, being the no.1 pitcher in the league, we knew we could rely on him to close.” Kintol said.
The Pirates’ Pete Sablan pitches against the Dodgers during game 3 of the 2023 SBL Masters League championship series at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
