THE Cardinals continue to show why they are the defending champions by trouncing D9er’s, 23-3, in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
The Cardinals took advantage of the opportunities given to them in the top of the opening inning. D9er’s, for their part, failed to find their footing, committing several infield errors and struggling to find the strike zone, which resulted in the Cardinals slipping away with two runs to grasp the lead, 2-0.
Offensively, D9er’s seemed to have better odds with two hits connected and runners on all bases. However, with two outs already in the bag, their hope was dashed by the Cardinals’ midfielder, Eli Aughenbaugh, who caught a flyout to close the bottom half with his team still in the lead.
The Cardinals prolonged their dominance in the top of the second inning. The bases quickly loaded as the first three Cardinal batters walked and eventually made their way home safely as hit after hit followed. The team could not miss as they rotated their battling lineup twice to score 16 more runs before D9er’s could stop the bleeding.
After another scoreless attempt on the part of D9er’s in the bottom half, the Cardinals added five more runs in the top of the third inning for a 23-0 lead.
D9er’s finally broke the silence with three consecutive runs led by Cody Omengkar’s two-RBI single and Jun Atalig’s RBI single.
But a flyball was caught by the Cardinals for the second out followed by a strikeout to end the night early after only three complete innings via the 10-run rule.
The Cardinals’ Keoni Kaipat celebrates after scoring another run for his team during a game against D9er’s in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The Cardinals’ Eli Augenbach reaches home base for a stolen run during a game against D9er’s in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Wednesday.
The Cardinals’ Eli Augenbach sets up for the lead off to steal 2nd base.
D9er’s #19 Atalig winds up for a pitch against the Cardinals.
The Cardinals’ #52 Tenorio, left, and #9 Saralu celebrate as they both run in for two runs on one hit.
