GUAM rallied in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game before going on a hitting spree to beat powerhouse Palau, 6-3, in the 2022 Pacific Mini Games at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Baseball Field Thursday night.
Guam, which also defeated Palau, 7-2, Wednesday evening, is now headed to the gold medal game against either Palau or the NMI. The two will go mano a mano Friday, June 24, at 2 p.m.
Palau dominated the NMI, 13-2, in their first encounter on Saturday, June 18.
On Thursday, it was Guam left fielder Jeremiah Sablan who closed the gap against Palau with an RBI single while second baseman Shane Muna fired his own RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth.
Relief pitcher Paul Pangelinan struck out four to prevent Palau from scoring in the seventh inning.
Guam’s Bryan Balajadia then launched a fly ball for a sacrifice RBI while centerfielder Jason Muna fired an RBI single to solidify their lead.
Guam never looked back en route to a 6-3 victory and a spot in the finals.
NMI vs Fiji
Against Fiji on Thursday, NMI’ starting pitcher Shane Yamada allowed only two runs while relief pitcher JP Sablan allowed one run and one base hit as the host team pummeled its opponent, 23-3.
NMI first baseman Byron Kaipat drove in two runs in the bottom of the first inning while centerfielder Ben Jones Jr. sent right fielder Ton Tenorio to home base with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Left fielder Juan Iguel then unleashed a two-RBI single to stretch the NMI’s lead.
Yamada had three strikeouts after pitching five innings while Sablan had two.
NMI right field reliever Lorenzo Sebaklim and Jones had two base hits apiece while Franco Nakamura fired a double in the fourth and a triple in the sixth inning.
Second baseman Dennis Cabrera had a triple in the fourth and a single base hit in the sixth inning as the mercy rule kicked in to end Fiji’s misery.
NMI first baseman Byron Kaipat hits the ball during the game against Fiji at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Baseball Field on Thursday.
Palau’s starting pitcher Moi Ito in action during the first inning against Guam Thursday night.
Guam’s Bryan Balajadia hits the ball during the game against Palau on Thursday.
