KOBLERVILLE Elementary School won the first championship in the girls division of CNMI Softball Association/Public School System Inter-scholastic fast-pitch softball tournament at the Miguel “Tan-Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield last Friday.
Short stop Angela Achime homered once and drove in 2 runs as Kristi Sablan delivered most of the runs sending KES girls to its first victory after five years, over Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, 15-5.
Achime’s base hit in the third inning against Veora Basa allowed Zoralyn Magona and Jinki Kintaro to score runs.
Magona scored another run from Rufina Sablan’s hit bat. She also held GTC to a double while Jinkie had triple.
Achimes’ RBI contributed a lot to KES triumph. She and Sablan were also in the very important position as GTC’s in- field shots ensued on their favor during the final inning paving the way for their victory, according to coach Francis Mendiola.
In defense, Achime’s perfect catch of three consecutive fly balls and Sablan completing the task, prevented batters, Elizabeth Basa, GTC pitcher Janece Salas and Nelly Saturno from scoring striking them out right on the first base in the fourth inning.
Coach Mendiola said KES had always been either second or third in the past five years of the Inter-scholastic meet, so it’s about time that they get the championship this time.
DES 2, SVES 1
In the boys division, left hander Jeremy Lizama’s hit bat against Joshua Trinidad’s wild pitch allowed LJ Hamley to have the winning run during the final inning, as DES defeated San
Vicente Elementary School, 2-1.
Lead off batter Alex Mangkeya had a base and ball and scored the first run from AJ Hambros hit bat in the first inning.
SVES’s Henry Enis had 1 RBI allowing his Frankie Blas to home run.
But the San Vicente boys needed 3 outs in the seventh inning to save the day, it Dandan only had to score a run which Hemley just did.
Softball Association board member, Liz Palacios they are very happy with the turn out of the league which ran so smoothly.
Nine schools she said participated in the league, and out of 36 games only one was cancelled due to rain.
The other schools that participated are Tanapag Elementary School, Garapan Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School and Oleai Elementary School.
“This year’s league is very successful and we now look forward to a better season next year,” Palacios said.
She said almost all the games were so exciting since many of the young players are also in the Saipan Little League especially in the boys division.
The fast-pitch softball organizers want to thank Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Sports and Recreation Division Director Joe Lizama for allowing his staff to assist in officiating the games and the preparation of the ballfield.
She also thanks Joey De la Cruz, Darren Flores, Mario Sablan and Joe Mettao for their assistance during the entire season.
