By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Bob O’Conner-sponsored Masters notched their second win after slipping past by the Tanapag Falcons, 7-6, last Wednesday in the 2007 Saipan Major League baseball tournament at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.
The Masters played tough defense at the top of the ninth giving up only one run to improve to a 2-2 record tying the Falcons and the Young Guns in third place in the team standings. The defending champion Bud Kings are leading the league with a 5-0 record, while the Ford Rangers are in second place with a 2-1 slate.
After seven innings of the match, the Masters and the Falcons were in a deadlock.
The Masters then shut out the Falcons at the top of the eighth, while T. Pangelinan and Mel Sakisat had one unearned run apiece at the bottom to put their team ahead, 7-5, going into the final inning.
Sakisat walked the Falcons’ leadoff batter J. Suel, who was later thrown out as second batter Ned Norita moved to first on a fielder’s choice.
BJ Sablan then hit a triple driving Norita home to move the Falcons within one, 7-6.
But the Falcons’ chance to steal the game disappeared when their next two batters were thrown out.
Shortstop JD Dikito was beaten to first base for the Falcons’ second out.
The game ended in favor of the Masters, as the Falcon’s B. Camacho was also beaten to first base on a 6-3 putout play.
Third baseman B. Mesa led the Masters offense going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs, a single, a double and an RBI.
Shortstop R. Celis also went 2-for-3 with a run, two singles and an RBI.
D. Quitani paced the Falcons with his 3-for-5 performance at the plate. He had one run, two singles and a double.
BJ Sablan also went 3-for-5 with two singles, a triple and two RBIs. J. Suel was 2-for-4 with a run, a single and an RBI.
Action in SML continues tonight with the Rangers facing the Young Guns.
The Young Guns are coming off a win over the Korean Jaguars last Monday, while the Rangers have yet to play since March 28. Their match against the Falcons on April 2 was rained out.