The Junior Nationals’ Angelo Igitol pitches against the CK Bears during a Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
THE Junior Nationals have secured a spot in the championship of the 2023 Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League after defeating the no. 3 seed Falcons, 6-3, on Tuesday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
After a scoreless first inning, the Falcons broke the ice and took advantage of their opponents’ defensive errors with Benen Iguel and Ian Norita slipping through all four bases to grasp the lead.
But the Junior Nationals equalized in the bottom of the second inning with two runs of their own with Joell Borja earning an RBI.
The Falcons continued to apply pressure as they regained the lead with a single run in the top of the third while the Junior Nationals had no answer in the next two innings.
But they kept their heads straight and eventually rekindled the fire with Angelo Igitol and Borja contributing a run each in the fifth and sixth for an RBI each and a 4-3 lead.
The Falcons continued to put up a fight but they could not deliver in the next five innings. The Junior Nationals sealed the deal in the eighth inning with two more runs, highlighted by Achilles Evangelista, to expand their lead, 6-3.
The Falcons had one last chance to catch up in the top of the ninth, but were denied the chance for a comeback with two batters left on second and third base.
The other semi-final game will be between the Brewers and the top-seed Cardinals.
