The Notre Dame Royals continued their unbeaten streak in the ISA baseball season with a decisive 7-3 victory against the George Washington High School Geckos on March 2, 2024. With this win, the Royals improved their record to 3-0, showcasing their dominance on the field. Their next challenge will be a match against Tiyan High School.
Junior pitcher Trace Taijeron delivered an impressive performance, pitching a complete game while holding the Geckos hitless for the first four innings. He allowed just one batter on base due to walks, demonstrating his control and skill on the mound. As the Geckos began to adjust to his pitching in the fifth and seventh innings, the Royal defense remained resilient, effectively neutralizing potential scoring threats.
“I felt good out there. I trusted my boys. But my stuff was really working today too,” Taijeron remarked post-game, emphasizing the strong communication he had with his catcher, Co’en Villanueva. “I had some bad pitches, but he was always there to pick me back up and let me know.”
The Geckos finally managed to break through in the fifth inning when Ise Olkeriil recorded the first hit against Taijeron, leading off with a single. Following that, Talen Taitano and Marvin Jones reached base due to defensive errors. Olkeriil scored on an error, putting the Geckos on the board with two runners on base. Taijeron ended the fifth-inning threat by striking out Derck Treltas.
In a bid to extend their lead, the Royals added three runs in the sixth inning. Key contributions came from Kian Cruz and Ty Leon Guerrero, who each delivered RBI doubles. After Taijeron dispatched three batters in order with just nine pitches, the Royals looked poised to increase their lead.
The Geckos rallied in the final inning, with Olkeriil and Marquis Atin starting the seventh with singles to left field. Jones drove in Olkeriil with a grounder to center field, cutting the lead to 7-3. Despite the spirited effort, Taijeron secured the win with a strikeout, ending the game and sealing the Royals’ victory.
As the ISA season progresses, the Notre Dame Royals will aim to maintain their perfect record against Tiyan High School in their upcoming game. The team’s combination of strong pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting has set a competitive tone for the remainder of the season.
