Sharks frustrate Dolphins in baseball match

CEBU, Philippines - The Manila Sharks staged a daring comeback in the windup to crush the hearts of the Cebuano spectators by drowning the Cebu Dolphins, 8-6, in the first ever match of the Baseball Philippines Series 8 in the Queen City of the South played last Sunday at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

The Sharks actually got off to a good start, posting two runs in the first inning. They never allowed the Dolphins to score until the third inning that turned the tables around.

The Dolphins tied the game, 2-all, at the end of the fourth inning and zoomed in three runs including a homerun from Curcuera in the fifth.

The Dolphins somehow became complacent after enjoying a three-point advantage. The swapping of pitcher also caused more trouble for Cebu’s bets, allowing the Sharks to score two runs each in the final three innings while allowing the Dolphins only one more run in the seventh inning.

The Sharks, thus, fortified their hold of the lead with an 8-1 win-loss record, while the Dolphins stayed at the second spot with a 7-2 card.

Before going up against each other, the Sharks and the Dolphins held a clinic as part of Baseball Philippines' social responsibility.

Close to 200 aspiring batters joined the event, which was made possible through the efforts of Jese Bernad of Fastball.

“Ang dami naming nakitang may potensyal sa mga sumali sa clinic. Sana lang di sila mapabayaan at masuportahan sila para lalong gumaling. Sa sino mang kinauukulan, sana they will do something to further develop the skills of these young players," said Cebuano coach and baseball legend Saki Bacarisas. — (FREEMAN)