Mellieha Levels U/13 Series with Strong 6-1 Win Over Mustangs

In an exciting Under-13 baseball matchup, Mellieha evened the series with a convincing 6-1 victory over the Mustangs on Saturday.

The Mustangs threatened early in the top of the first inning. Matteo Ciappara led off with a sharp single, and Benjamin Pace reached base after being hit by a pitch. With two runners aboard and no outs, Samuel Moreno stepped to the plate. However, what looked like a golden scoring opportunity quickly vanished when Mellieha’s starting pitcher Daniel Vella Caruana turned a spectacular triple play, ending the inning and shutting down the Mustangs’ hopes.

Mellieha came out swinging in the bottom half led off by a single from Cole Bartolo. Moments later, Tiberio Monti delivered a towering two-run homer to put Mellieha on the board. Zack Xuereb followed with a single and was later driven in by Dale Galea, giving Mellieha an early 3-0 lead.

📷 Sean Vella Caruana Photography

In the second inning, Cody Tabone took over on the mound for Mellieha striking out three of the four batters he faced. Offensively, he helped his own cause, ripping a long double and scoring on a single from Bartolo, extending the lead to 4-0. Mustangs’ starter Matteo Ciappara settled down after the early runs, keeping his team within reach before handing over pitching duties to Samuel Moreno.

Mellieha’s bats stayed hot in the third. Xuereb singled once again, and despite Moreno striking out the next two batters, Vella Caruana stepped up and crushed a two-run homer to push Mellieha’s lead to 6-0.

📷 Sean Vella Caruana Photography

The Mustangs showed heart in the top of the fourth, as Moreno lined a double down the third base line and was brought home by a clutch single from Nathaniel Hancock. However, Mellieha’s pitcher, Lucia Zhang, closed out the inning and the game without further damage.

Mellieha secured the 6-1 victory, tying the series at one game apiece. Both teams now face off again on May 10th at the Marsa Sports Grounds.

📷 Sean Vella Caruana Photography