With the island’s Big Little Leaguers remain unchallenged, Saipan’s teams in Junior, Senior and Majors divisions also dominated again in last weekend’s “road” to Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament.
Like how it had always been, the district tournament which Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos opened last Friday with his ceremonial pitch remains the island’s most exciting and much-awaited youth sports event that hundreds of parents and baseball fans never wanted to miss.
Inos in his opening remarks noted the Little League as the longest running youth program in the CNMI that makes baseball part of the island people’s culture.
“I urge them to put forward their very best for the CNMI’s benefit,” Inos said commending the players for their hardship to become CNMI’s pride in the world of Little League baseball.
District Administrator James Ada expressed his deep gratitude to the presidents and other officers of Little Leagues in Rota, Tinian and Saipan; all the sponsors; the organizing committee, the parents, managers and coaches and the players themselves.
“They are very important people and they are recognized as valuable part of this organization,” Ada said.
Saipan 16, Rota 0
Jeremy Lizama pitched four strong innings allowing only one base hit and a walk to lead Saipan Team in shutting out Rota, 16-0 in majors division final.
Striking out 11, Lizama did not allow any of Rota Team’s base runners to even reach the third base.
Rota’s Ken Manglona walked and stole second but that was as far as he could get. Frank Mesngon knocked-in the first base hit.
But Lizama threw his 49th and 51st pitch real sharp to strike out two and finish the game.
Saipan Team scored 14 runs in the bottom of the third inning as Lizama went 3-for-3; Keen Deleon Guerrero, 2-for-3; Francisco Lieto, 2-for-3 and Jonathan Cabrera, 2-for-3.
Patrick Tenorio led off a double, Henry Rabauliman loaded the base before Chris Mizer hit one RBI single and Jared Sablan a two-run double to set an early lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Starter Jared Sablan struck out four before La Marc Iguel replaced him in the mound and had two strike outs. Dela Cruz struck out one.
Tenorio and Aldebert Lizama went 4-for-4.
Bryan Camacho sliced a two-run double to the left field before Rota’s third baseman, Ferminton Maratita tagged him out for Rota’s double play against Henry Rabauliman.
Rota’s defense went tighter in the top of the second tagging Chris Mizer out in the first base, spoiling Jared Sablan’s second base attempt and catching Poland Masaharu’s fly ball.
In the bottom of the third, Iguel had one RBI and Jeremy Rabauliman rockted a two-run single.
Rota’s Daniel Taitano who was hit by pitch was in a scoring position as Alden Mediola loaded the bases. However, Saipan’s Iguel replaced Sablan and struck out Harvey Atalig.
Saipan 12, Tinian 3
Josh Jones struck out two in the first inning before Joe Palacios replaced him in the mound and struck out one. Tom Agulto relieved Palacios in the fifth inning and struck out five allowing three runs, then, Noki Saralu had one strike out.
The Saipan Little League Seniors rallied in the fourth inning with Palacios, Agulto and Eli Aughenbaugh hitting runs-scoring base hits for the six runs scored.
