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All-Stars to represent Guam in regionals

TWO teams filled with a bunch of talented young boys brought nothing but their best to the Guam Sports Complex baseball field in Dededo and laid everything out on the diamond.

The Central and Northern All-Stars in the Guam Little League Majors Division battled one another in the district tournament to determine who will represent the island in the upcoming 2012 Asia-Pacific Regional Majors Little League Tournament in Chinese Taipei.

Playing in a best-of-three series, the Central All-Stars completed a two-game sweep over their opponents to include a 7-4 series victory this past Saturday.

“It’s a good feeling to know that our boys will be representing the island in Chinese Taipei, but we still got a lot of work and preparation for the regionals,” Central coach Robert Cruz said. “Both teams played well this past weekend and it was a difference of who wanted it more.”

Despite some threat of heavy rain showers, the game proceeded and Central got things started offensively and built an early 2-0 lead in the game. However, the Northern All-Stars looked different from game one and stayed composed and relaxed to get right back into the game. Led by Allen Palacios, Northern equalized the game at 2-2 in the third inning.

Things didn’t stop there for Northern as they managed to load the bases with only one out. Combined with an error by Central and an RBI-single by Sigfrido Sanchez, Northern upped their lead to 4-2. Recognizing the momentum shift, Central used a much needed timeout and regrouped. Upon resuming play, Central starting pitcher Gabriel Garza managed to get out of the inning without allowing further damage.

Central immediately went back to work on the offensive in the ensuing inning and was able to tie the game at 4-4. Garza started the run production after recording a sacrifice fly, while teammate Isaiah Nauta found himself at home plate courtesy of Northern errors. Central eventually built a three-run (7-4) lead heading into the final innings of the game.

Northern was denied any chances of producing any more runs as the Central defense buckled down and relief pitcher Reed Seman was golden from the mound. When the final out of the game was recorded, it was Central celebrating their victory.

“We had to work hard against Northern. Sometimes the score doesn’t tell you everything and these guys played harder and better than the first game,” Seman said.

Central takes series opener

Earlier, the Central All-Stars brought the hot bats to the Dededo Little League Field Friday morning, defeating the Northern All-Stars 13-2 to take Game 1 of the best-of-three series in the 2012 Guam Little League Majors District Tournament.

Central was up 1-0 after one inning, then in the top of the second, Central’s Isaiah Nauta launched a lead-off solo homerun over the fence in center off of Northern starter Devin Leon.

In the top of the third, Central’s Reed Seman connected for another lead-off solo homerun over the fence in left against Leon.

Central was in the lead 5-0 after three innings. In the top of the fourth, Central’s Gavin Salas went deep, crushing a Leon pitch over the fence in left for the solo homerun. Central was up 6-0 in the middle of the fourth.

Northern got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Ethaniel Cali doubled to right to score Leon. After a rain delay in the middle of the fifth, more from Central in the top of the sixth as Stephen Murdock crushed a two-run blast over the fence in left highlighting a seven-run inning. For Central, Gavin Salas was 3-for-4, two doubles, a homerun, an RBI, and three runs scored. Reed Seman was 2-for-4, a double, homerun, an RBI, and two runs scored.

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