THE Falcons soared to their third win of the 2025 Saipan Baseball League season on Tuesday night, defeating Blue Shark 13-2 after sparking a fifth-inning rally at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The Falcons took flight early in the ballgame.
They opened the top of the first inning with a string of hits, starting with back-to-back singles by Joseph Lifoifoi and Giovanni Mira. Blue Shark nearly stifled the early threat with a 6-4 pickoff for their first out, followed by a flyout. But the Falcons kept their composure. Benen Iguel connected for another single, allowing Mira to advance, and Ian Norita followed with an RBI single to bring Mira home and give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
On defense, Falcons pitcher Keahie Manglona kept the momentum alive, striking out three straight batters in the bottom half of the inning. Back at the plate, Lifoifoi brought in Clifton Norita with an RBI single, while Blue Shark remained scoreless through two complete innings, 2-0.
In the third, Blue Shark began to find their rhythm. They retired three Falcons batters in quick succession, and in the bottom half, Jimmy Demapan capitalized on an error to score Blue Shark’s first run, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
After a quiet fourth inning, the Falcons came alive in the fifth with a barrage of runs.
The rally began and ended with Darren Pua. He kicked it off with a 2-RBI single that brought home Lifoifoi and Mira. Ian Norita followed with another RBI single, and Tristian Norita added a two-RBI single to keep the offense rolling. After the batting order cycled through, Pua returned with another two-RBI single, capping an 11-run explosion that pushed the Falcons ahead 13-1 before Blue Shark could stop the bleeding.
With the 10-run mercy rule in effect, Blue Shark needed to score to extend the game. Demapan contributed an RBI single to cut the deficit to 13-2, but the Falcons responded with two strikeouts and a pickoff at home to end the threat — and the game — after five innings.
Joseph Lifoifoi of the Falcons hits a single during a 2025 Saipan Baseball League game against Blue Shark on Tuesday night.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Blue Shark pitcher Orren Cruz reaches out to secure a bunt attempt by the Falcons during a 2025 Saipan Baseball League game on Tuesday night.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
The Falcons pitcher IJ Teigita pitches against Blue Shark during a game in the 2025 Saipan Baseball League on Tuesday night.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
