In a game between the top teams on Sunday, the Sliema Patriots hosted the Mellieha Northenders at the Marsa Baseball and Softball field.
The Patriots started strong, scoring 2 runs in the first inning and adding 5 more in the second. Mellieha, however, rallied back in the second with 4 runs and tied the game at 7 apiece in the third with key RBIs from Steven Grima and Michael Bartolo.
The fourth inning saw the Northenders add another 3 runs, but the Patriots managed to tie the game again, setting up a tense middle of the game. Despite both teams’ best efforts, the defenses held strong, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings were scoreless, taking the game to extra innings.
In a crucial eighth inning, Mellieha’s bats came alive. Steven Grima drove in another run, followed by a powerful three-run homer from Michael Bartolo. Masashi Suzuki then capped the inning with another home run, extending Mellieha’s lead to 15-10.
The Patriots had one last chance, but Mellieha’s defense held strong. Suzuki, who had a standout performance both offensively and defensively, caught a fly ball in center field to end the game. Going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs, Suzuki earned MVP honours, sealing a hard-fought win in an electrifying battle that highlighted the skill and resilience of both teams.