Cagayan clinches finals berth in junior baseball

MANILA, Philippines – Cagayan swept Mighty Sports-Marikina in two games at the Sto. Niño field in Marikina and Rizal Memorial baseball stadium to clinch the first finals berth in Junior Baseball Philippines over the weekend.

The Carabaos blanked the Indians, 8-0, last Saturday at the latter’s home then repeated the feat with a 9-0 rout at the Rizal venue last Sunday to remain unbeaten in four games in the Community Sports Inc.-organized league for players aged 14 to 18.

Cagayan came through with 12 hits and scored four runs each in the fourth and sixth innings with Christian Magnaye posting a two-for-three inning with two runs and two runs-batted-in (RBIs) in Saturday’s game.

Aries Oruga had a two-run double to spark a seven-run binge in the first inning in the Carabao’s return match with the Indians, who dropped to 1-2.

In other matches, the Alabang Tigers scored their first two victories after beating the Quezon City Angels to stay in contention for the last finals berth.

Alabang whipped Quezon City, 12-0, Saturday at the Rizal baseball stadium, and scored a 13-3 win Sunday at the Alabang Country Club to even its card to 2-2.

The Tigers allowed just one hit in both games against the Angels with pitchers Edward Flores, Adriane Bernardo, Mark Ong, Carlos Munoz, Josh Rapaport and Pellos Remollo dominating their rivals in the weekend games.

The tournament is sponsored by Gatorade, Industrial Enterprises Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., Harbour Centre and the Heritage Park with partners Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio.