By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE D-9ers and Proa won their debut games in the Men’s Fast-pitch Softball League, which kicked off its 2007 season last Tuesday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.
The D-9ers blanked the Tanapag Falcons in five innings, 11-0, while Proa edged the San Vincente Sunrisers, 11-6.
J. Peterson pitched in no relief for the D-9ers allowing only two hits. He had six strikeouts.
Shotstop Mel Sakisat went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI, while second baseman Jerome Delos Santos was 2-for-3 with two runs, two triples and an RBI to lead the D-9ers to an easy win.
Neither team was able to score a run in the first inning, but the D-9ers picked up the pace with D. Sablan, B. Guerrero and BJ Sablan scoring at the top of the second.
The Falcons’ drought continued in the last four innings, while the D-9ers found ways to score to prevail in their debut match.
In the second game, AJ Ellen went 2-for-4 with four runs, an RBI, a double and a triple to lead Proa to a five-point victory.
Proa was leading by only two at the bottom of the fifth, 7-5, when it shut out the Sunrisers at the top of the sixth and then scored four unearned runs at the bottom to increase the lead to five, 11-6.
The Sunrisers chances to recover and steal the game disappeared when they were blanked for the second straight time at the top of the seventh.
Mike Muna was the Sunrisers’ leadoff batter at the top of the seventh and had a good start hitting a double.
Ben Mesa was thrown out, as Proa beat the Sunrisers shortstop to first base. A 6-3 put out play quickly brought Marcelo Keleleyun back to the dugout and handed the Sunrisers their second out.
The game ended when Proa pitcher Tony Satur struck out Dave Kapileo.
Meawhile, two more teams debuted last night.
The Islanders were facing Chelus yesterday, but results of the match were unavailable at press time.
This year’s men’s fast-pitch tournament will have a three-round elimination format in the regular season with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
Players in this year’s tournament are hoping to make a good impression, as the CNMI Softball Association will be selecting members of the NMI team from the league.
The chosen ones will represent the island in the North Pacific Fast-Pitch Championship on Guam this year.