IN a hard-fought finale in the junior division, the Braves Jr. came out victorious against the Ol’Aces Jr., 15-10, to claim the championship of the 2025 Saipan Little League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
Despite the final score, the Ol’Aces controlled most of the early action. In the top of the first inning, the Braves struggled with defensive errors, allowing the Ol’Aces to score three unearned runs while holding the Braves scoreless for a 3-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Ol’Aces capitalized with two more runs off errors, while Leighton Tenorio added an RBI double to stretch the lead to 6-0. The momentum continued in the third with another three-run burst, pushing the gap to 9-0.
The Braves, however, finally broke through in the bottom of the third. With key hits from Aiken Norita and Zekiel Falig, who both drove in RBIs, and additional runs off errors and wild pitches, the Braves cut the deficit to 9-5.
The Ol’Aces tried to maintain control with a solo run in the top of the fourth, but the Braves carried their momentum into the bottom half. Capitalizing on defensive miscues, the Braves scored four runs off errors and added another four with RBIs from Kayden Lizama, Ziah Sablan, and Kaleb Reyes to storm ahead, 13-10.
From there, the Braves’ defense held firm as the Ol’Aces were shut out over the final three innings. The Braves padded their lead with two more runs in the fifth and closed the game untouched in the seventh to secure the 15-10 win and the junior division championship title.
Historic run for NSA Braves
The Natibu Sports Association Braves capped a historic 2025 season in Saipan Little League Baseball, winning championships in all three divisions — Junior, Senior, and Majors.
After a seven-year youth baseball hiatus in the CNMI, NSA revived the sport, dedicating this season to their late manager George N. Camacho. Their sweep across divisions highlights the strength of NSA’s youth sports program.
Ol’Aces Jr.’s Leighton Tenorio rushes toward home plate after a wild pitch by the Braves Jr. during the junior division championship game of the 2025 Saipan Little League Baseball at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
The Braves Jr.’s Kayden Lizama pitches against the Ol’Aces Jr. during the junior division championship game of the 2025 Saipan Little League Baseball at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
The Braves Jr. player Damian Machardesch reaches out to secure the ball after a bunt by the Ol’Aces Jr. during the junior division championship game of the 2025 Saipan Little League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
