By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

WHAT A Guy ruled the 2nd Saipan Little League Baseball co-ed slow-pitch softball tournament downing Last Minute in the championship match, 9-3, last Saturday at the Dandan Elementary School Ballfield.
Pitcher Bego Camacho and What A Guy’s defense prevented Last Minute from scoring a single run in the first four innings.
Last Minute scored its first run at the bottom of the fifth and had two more, but still they were not enough as What A Guy hung on to the lead, 8-3, going into the sixth inning.
What A Guy increased the lead to six, 9-3, after another run at the start of the top of the sixth, before Nadia, Dane Lizama and Nokkie Lizama struck out.
Last Minute’s chances to recover were doomed, as its first three batters were struck out both in the sixth and seventh innings.
What A Guy received the championship trophy from SLLB president Joe Salas in a brief award ceremony after the tournament.
What A Guy gained a finals entry after beating Team Nang in the semifinals, 11-1.
Team Nang had another chance to move into the championship match when it battled Last Minute for the last finals ticket.
But Team Nang was denied a finals entry, as Last Minute notched a 16-7 victory. Team Nang settled for third place.
Trophies were also awarded to the second, third and fourth placers.
The Bombers won the fourth place trophy after notching one victory in last Saturday’s tournament.
The Bombers won over Got Pugua in the first game via a default. But the Bombers failed to advance to the next round after bowing to Last Minute, 2-7.
Last weekend’s tournament was a fundraiser for SLLB, which will be using part of the proceeds from the co-ed meet to purchase equipment for pitch counts.
The equipment will be used when the league opens its 2007 season on Feb. 16.
Pitchers will be allowed to pitch a certain number of times and when they reach the limit, they must be replaced
SLLB will be implementing the pitch count to prevent injuries.