The Marianas High School team members pose with the girls high school division championship trophy after winning the inaugural SBL-PSS Interscholastic Softball League SY23-24 at the Dandan baseball field on Saturday.
Marianas High School’s Daviann Sablan pitches against Saipan Southern High School during the girls high school division championship game of the SBL-PSS Interscholastic Softball League SY23-24 at the Dandan baseball field on Saturday.
MARIANAS High School not only swept the regular season but claimed the title as well after defeating Saipan Southern High School, 11-6, in the girls high school division championship game of the inaugural SBL-PSS Interscholastic Softball League SY23-24 (slowpitch) at the Dandan baseball field on Saturday.
SSHS drew first blood as first at bat, slipping in two runs before MHS could stop the bleeding, 2-0.
SSHS’ reign was short-lived, however, as they were left silent in the top of the second inning while MHS retaliated with a series of offensive highlights to hit five runs in the bottom half and snatch control, 5-2.
MHS pitcher Daviann Sablan collected three strikeouts after two complete innings, but struggled to find the strike zone during the third inning, which handed SSHS two free runs via walks to close the distance.
But MHS recovered in the bottom half with two runs of their own to retain the safe distance, 7-4.
MHS then left SSHS scoreless for the next three innings while adding four more runs, 11-4.
SSHS had one last chance to stay in the fight in the seventh and final inning. After a strikeout, Rosie Saralu connected a hit. She and Aleeza Castro were brought in after a handful of walks were allowed by MHS, giving SSHS two free runs.
Sablan, however, earned another strikeout followed by a pick-off for the third and final out needed to secure the win, 11-6, and the title.
MHS Algebra 1 teacher and coach Jared Ayuyu, was happy for the team’s well-earned victory. “The whole season we’ve been fighting every game — we never had anything easy,” he said. “I’m just super happy that they all contributed to this win. We left it all up to the girls — if they wanted to walk or swing. We were happy to see that. We wanted them to hit and make runs, but it is what it is.”
Ayuyu said the championship game was very exciting and nerve-racking.
He thanked and recognized Poland Masaharu and the rest of the coaching staff and the team members for their efforts.
First timer
There are some players who have never played any sport before, let alone softball, and that was the case with MHS pitcher Daviann Sablan.
In her first season playing softball, she eventually found her comfort on the pitcher’s mound.
“At first, I tried to find my rhythm in my first few pitches but then I got to play with the ball once I knew where to make it go. This is my first time playing softball, but I felt that I have always had the potential to play it. I’m just shy and nervous, what with all the people around watching me,” Sablan said.
She said she was scared to play against SSHS but, in the end, she was proud of the sportsmanship exhibited by both teams.
It will be fastpitch softball in the next season, which means that Sablan will have to start from scratch once again. But she is eager to win another title. “Fastpitch will be a challenge but I’m a fast learner,” she said.
