Padres’ Austin Benavente readies to steal second base during a game against the Cardinals in the 2025 Saipan Baseball League at Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
IN a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, it was the Padres who triumphed with a walk-off victory over the Falcons, 12–11, in the 2025 Saipan Baseball League on Wednesday night at Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The win capped a back-and-forth battle that featured standout performances on both sides of the diamond.
The Falcons struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning. Leadoff batter Joseph Lifoifoi crossed home plate on a wild pitch, and Darren Pua followed with a sacrifice fly for an RBI. The Padres threatened with runners on first and second but came up empty, giving the Falcons an early 2–0 lead.
The Padres quickly responded in the second inning. Behind a strong defensive stand that allowed no runs, they erupted for five in the bottom half, highlighted by Ton Salas’ 2-RBI single to take a 5–2 lead.
After a scoreless third, the Falcons regained momentum in the top of the fourth, plating five runs led by Ian Norita’s 2-RBI double to move ahead, 7–5.
But the Padres’ bats came alive again when it mattered most. They answered with a five-run rally in the bottom of the fifth to reclaim the lead, 10–7. The Falcons kept pressing, scoring two runs in the sixth and adding two more in the seventh to tie the game at 11–11.
In the bottom of the seventh, leadoff hitter Jonah Flores reached third base, setting the stage for the game’s decisive moment. Darion Jones delivered a line drive to center, bringing Flores home for the walk-off win. Final score: Padres 12, Falcons 11.
