THE NMI bounced back from a 2-13 loss to Palau by overpowering Fiji, 17-0, Monday in a Pacific Mini Games baseball game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Baseball Field.
The NMI’s next opponent is the Solomon Islands in a game set for Tuesday, June 21, starting at 2 p.m.
NMI head coach Derron Flores is confident about his team’s chances against the Solomon Islands, but “we are not going to take them lightly.”
He said they want to end the tournament with a 3-1 win-loss record to secure a finals slot.
The NMI beat its first opponent, Guam, on Thursday, 4-1.
In the game against Fiji, the NMI’s Shane Yamada struck out Fiji’s centerfield Meo Ulaiasi in the bottom of the third inning.
The NMI’s Franco Nakamura then took over the mound in the fourth.
Designated hitter Byron Kaipat tripled in the second, short stop Lamarc Iguel hit a two RBI single and Anthony Tenorio launched a double in the fourth en route to a 17-0 victory.
Flores said if Palau beats Guam on Wednesday, Palau will be in the finals. But if Guam beats Palau, either the NMI or Guam will get a spot in the finals based on the points system or a playoff.
“It’s for the officials to decide,” Flores said. “But we want to play Palau again. They are a good team, they are disciplined.”
Team NMI, he said, will have to come alive offensively. The defense is there, the pitches are flawless, but “we have to swing the bat and score runs,” Flores added.
In the other games, Palau demolished the Solomon Islands, 21-0, on Friday while Guam overpowered Fiji 13-3 on Saturday.
Team NMI first baseman Darion Jones tags Fiji’s Raiqueu Jakope in the fourth inning of a Pacific Mini Games baseball game at the Tan Ko Palacios Baseball Field on Monday.
Team NMI’s Franko Nakamura throws a pitch during the game against Fiji on Monday.
