MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The Headquarters Battalion “Warriors” defeated 3rd Radio Battalion 13-10 in the first game of Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s 2009 Intramural Baseball Championship Series at Riseley Field.
The top ranked Warriors battled their way through the playoffs in order to secure a spot in the championship series.
Last Wednesday, the Warriors defeated Commander, Patrol, and Reconnaissance Wing 2 9-5 and went on to beat Marine Aircraft Group 24 9-4 Monday.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, game one of the best-of-three series was played Wednesday due to a power outage at Riseley Field, said Joe Au, intramural sports coordinator for MCBH.
After losing to 3rd Radio 11-13 in the opening round, the Warriors got their revenge by putting on an offensive showcase to take a 1-0 championship series lead.
Likewise, bottom ranked 3rd Radio continued their strong playoff showing by defeating MAG-24 14-10.
In the beginning of the championship, both teams showed signs of superb defense, when both teams’ starting pitchers, Brandon T. Cox for the Warriors and Greg L. Fryman for 3rd Radio, delivered a scoreless first inning for their respective teams.
However, the offensive efforts displayed by both teams in their previous playoff encounter arrived in the second inning and did not stop.
Third Radio relief pitcher T. Wilson Nance scored two with a double to tie the game at 2-2 at the end of the second inning. The Warriors responded in the third inning when catcher Todd J. Lawhon drove home relief pitcher Bradley A. Rich to take a 3-2 lead.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, 3rd Radio batters unloaded a bevy of hits, taking a commanding 8-3 lead and forcing Warriors pitcher/coach Romeo Ibrao to relieve Cox and enter the game himself.
The Warriors struck back in the fourth inning with clutch hitting and base running from shortstop Brandon K. Parrent and second baseman Kalani Mauga to tie the game at 8-8. Third Radio responded by bringing in Nance to relieve Fryman. With runners already on base, Nance gave up one single before ending the inning, giving the Warriors a 9-8 lead.
The Warriors continued to add runs in the fifth and sixth innings, maintaining their lead over 3rd Radio for the rest of the game.
“We need some insurance runs,” Ibrao said to his players before they went to bat the final time. “Don’t let up!”
And they listened. The Warriors built a late 13-10 lead and 3rd Radio could not keep up.
“We lose as a team and we win as a team,” said Ibrao. “Today we won.”
Although the Warriors now have a lead in the series, 3rd Radio shows no sign of going quietly. Third Radio has averaged an astounding 12 runs per game.
If necessary, the final game of the series will be played Friday 6:30 p.m. at Riseley Field.