THE Falcons continue to soar high in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League after outlasting D9er’s, 4-3, during a thrilling game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Tuesday.
It was a low-scoring match as defense was highlighted throughout the seven innings played.
The Falcons drew first blood in the top half of the opening inning. AJ Evangelista was the biggest factor as his presence caused chaos infield, stealing second base and later reaching third off a fielder’s choice.
D9er’s recovered and outed the two next batters but Evangelista capitalized off an error to score a run and give his team the lead, 1-0, before turning over the bottom half of the inning.
D9er’s tried to equalize but their attempts were denied with two runners left on base. However, the Falcons suffered the same fate as they were silenced with three consecutive outs in the top of the second inning. D9er’s Isaiah Lizama then hit an RBI single in the bottom half for the first deadlock of the game, 1-1.
The battle for control continued through three more innings. In the top of the fourth, D9er’s failed to get out of the defensive drought while their continued errors allowed two runs to slip by.
However, the Falcons also struggled to secure the ball as the bottom half was riddled with infield errors that allowed D9er’s to sneak in two runs and tie the score, 3-3.
In the top of the fifth, the Falcons relentless pressure finally gave them the edge. After two outs and a runner on second base, Giovani Mira connected a single which brought in Melvin Aldan for a solo run before the next batter was picked off at first. D9er’s nearly came up with an answer in the bottom half but was denied the opportunity with one runner left on base.
Down 3-4, D9er’s gave it their all in the last two innings of the night, but they were shut down as the Falcons slipped away with the win.
The Falcons’ JJ Lifoifoi makes his way home for an earned run during a game against D9er’s in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Tuesday.
The Falcons’ third baseman Ian Norita reaches to secure the ball as D9er’s John Babauta attempts to beat the pick off during a game in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Tuesday.
More photos from the game between the Falcons and D9er’s in the 2024 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Tuesday.
