CNMI and Philippine players pose for a group photo after their game in the 2025 Little League Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Tournament at the Hwaseung Dream Park, South Korea on Saturday.
Contributed photo
THE CNMI Majors team is off to a fairly even start in the 2025 Little League Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Tournament, holding a 1-1 record after their first two games at Hwaseung Dream Park in South Korea.
On Saturday, CNMI suffered its first loss after Thailand pulled off a late-game rally to steal the win, 11-6.
Both teams started with strong defensive performances, holding their ground with infield action. But in the bottom of the third inning, CNMI broke the silence when Skyler Leon Guerrero connected on a single that turned into a two-run RBI to establish a 2-0 lead.
However, CNMI quickly lost its grip as a series of unfortunate events unfolded in the top of the fourth inning. With Thailand filling the bases, a passed ball allowed a runner to slip through home plate and put them on the board. This was followed by a two-RBI hit and another run-scoring single, putting CNMI behind, 4-2.
In the bottom half, CNMI responded as Dylan Barcinas and Damian Sablan each earned an RBI double to tie the game at 4-4.
Despite CNMI’s efforts, Thailand gradually regained control, scoring six runs in the top of the fifth before CNMI could stop the bleeding, 10-4.
CNMI still had plenty of fight left, forcing in two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Thailand denied any comeback by collecting the three outs needed to secure the win, 11-6.
Before their game against Thailand, CNMI defeated the Philippines, 4-1, in the tournament opener.
