By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Hacienda Rosalia Gaston won the Negros First 2nd Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. Area 2 Inter-Hacienda Summer League, while Talisay City won the 1st Lourdes Soccorro Escalante Open Summer League, which both recently took place at the Hacienda Lourdes Ballpark in Manapla.

Hacienda Rosalia Gaston narrowly defeated Cadiz Sluggers in the championship, 7-6.

The eventual winners took a 2-0 after the first inning; however, the Cadiz City squad scored four runs in the fifth. The latter went on to extend their lead to 6-2 at the top of the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hacienda Rosalia Gaston scored three runs, bringing them within one run of the leaders.

They went on to score two more runs in the final inning, securing the title.

Hacienda Rosalia Gaston also took home three individual awards, with Antonio Beronio winning Best Slugger, Elmer Bagolcol scoring the most homeruns, and Arnold Gamboa named MVP. Cadiz Sluggers picked up two individual awards, Wenio Elinon was named Best Pitcher and Ontoy Catague took Best Hitter.

In the other tournament, Talisay City also won narrowly, beating Fuentes Lines, 5-4.

Despite going into the sixth inning up 5-0, Talisay City went on to give up two runs that round, along with another two in the subsequent inning.

Talisay City swept the individual awards, with Isagani Santillan winning MVP and Best Pitcher, Nelson Esmillarin – best slugger, Garardo Tambaoan – most homeruns, and Junvee Pagulong – Best Hitter./JSG, WDJ