The Braves pose for a photo after winning the 2023 SBL U12 Tournament championship on Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Baseball Field.
The Toros’ Leighton Tenorio gets ready to run to second base as the Braves’ first baseman, Keyden Lizama, looks on during the championship game of the 2023 SBL U12 Tournament on Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Baseball Field.
THE Braves edged the Toros, 4-3, thanks to Aiken Norita’s walk-off single in the bottom of the sixth and final inning to bag the Saipan Baseball League U12 Tournament championship Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Baseball Field.
The Toros established control early as Leighton Tenorio and Caleb Cabrera rounded the bases to score two runs in the top of the first inning for a 2-0 lead.
The Braves and Toros’ pitchers, Dayton Merchades and Leighton Tenorio, controlled the pace with six strikeouts each after two innings, but the Toros managed to add one more run in the top of the third inning to extend their lead, 3-0.
The Braves’ Merchades remained a big threat on the pitcher’s mound, striking out six more batters in the fourth and fifth innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Toros decided to change pitchers, and that was when the Braves scored three straight runs to tie the game, 3-3.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Toros aided Ben Lizama to safely reach third base with two out. As fourth at bat, Billy Flores connected a single while Lizama attempted to steal home, but was picked off.
The Braves’ Dayton Merchades then reignited their momentum with a double while the Toros tried to put out the flames with a strikeout for the first out.
But the Braves’ Aiken Norita fired a line drive over the shortstop and past the midfielder to bring in Merchades for the RBI, and beat the Toros 4-3 to win the title.
Ian Norita, the Braves’ head coach, said: “They had us in the first half, but I told the boys to remain calm.”
He believed that the Toros’ pitching change was the biggest factor in their loss.
As for their victory, Coach Norita said: “It was long overdue. Thank you to SBL. The boys really wanted to play — we really appreciated it. We can’t wait for the next season.”
Aiken Norita said the title game was a good experience. “I thought I was going to miss the hit,” he said.
“It was great — I’ve been waiting for this tournament for a long time. I’ve been practicing since sixth grade,” added the 12-year-old Tanapag Elementary School student.
