By Jonathan V. Perez
Variety News Staff

THE Hustlers clearly showed why they are the champions of the 8th Fall League as they nearly swept the special awards given in the Saipan Major League’s developmental program in the award ceremony held Saturday night at the Francisco M. Palacios Ballfield.
SML president Rose Igitol and Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan, handed awards to the top performers after Game 4 of the best-of-five championship series between the Hustlers and the Pirates. The Hustlers routed the Pirates, 15-4, to regain the title it last won in 2004.
Leading the Hustlers’ individual winners was Jerome Delos Santos who was named the Fall League’s batting champion after posting a .474 average in the regular season.
He then added the triples title after the Hustlers third baseman ended up with two after the regular season.
Delos Santos, who was named the regular season Most Valuable Player, then joined teammate Byron Kaipat as doubles champion as both players finished with five apiece.
Kaipat was also named the RBI champion after driving in 14 runs and was also awarded the Golden Glove for outfielders. Jonathan Salas of the Pirates won the Golden Glove for infielders.
AJ Allen, who was celebrating his 18th birthday Saturday night, earned the runs champion award after scoring 22 runs while Jonathan Delos Santos, who had two homeruns in the postseason, was the league’s home run king after belting a two-run home run in the Hustlers’ 10-6 win over the Manhoben Young Guns on Dec. 18, 2006.
John Mafnas collected four trophies winning the ERA, strikeout, and Rookie and Pitcher of the Year awards. He posted a 1.65 ERA and collected 41 strikeouts in the regular season.
Hustlers’ catcher Pat Alepuyo was the Catcher of the Year while Tony Celis added another trophy to his stockpile after being named the Coach of the Year.
Dane Lizama, playing second base for the champion Hustlers, earned the finals MVP.
Young Guns manger Jess Wabol was named the Manager of the Year for leading a young team to a runner-up finish with a 9-3 record and into the postseason.
The Manhoben crew was swept by the Pirates in their best-of-three playoff series, 12-6, and 9-7.