The Royals gather for a quick huddle before returning to the field during a game in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios baseball field.
THE Royals held their own and ran away with a thrilling win against the D9er’s, 16-15, in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios baseball field on Wednesday.
The D9er’s entered with confidence as they drew first blood in the top of the first inning. Dominic Torres, Kody Omengkar, and EJ Tenorio caused chaos infield with a series of stolen bases, and safely rounded the bases with Tenorio earning an RBI single while Jun Atalig, who also contributed to the run with an RBI, was later brought in by John Benavente for a total of four runs scored.
Down 0-4, the Royals finally broke the silence in the second inning with a single run scored off a wild pitch. But Omengkar of the D9er’s contributed an RBI in the top half to maintain a safe distance, 5-1.
The D9er’s extended the deficit further by adding two more runs in the top of the third.
The Royals turned the tide in the bottom half with a sudden rally. Although they started with an out, they unleashed four consecutive earned runs before the second out was made. Seven more runs were brought in — highlighted by Marvin Ngeskabei’s two-RBI double — to take control while adding three more in the fourth to retain the lead, 15-7.
But the Royals played poor defense in the fifth inning, committing errors that allowed the D9er’s to notch seven runs and close the gap before the Royals scored a solo run in the sixth to remain afloat, 16-14.
The D9er’s had one more chance to steal the win and came close as they loaded the bases. But the Royals caught a flyball and executed a pickoff at first base to end the game, 16-15.
