KAGMAN High School claimed the first ever boys high school division championship of the NMISA-PSS Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY23-24 on Saturday after taming Rota’s Bucks, 22-2, at the Capital Hill softball field.
KHS’ roster was filled with experienced players, and it showed as they established dominance right from the start.
After silencing Rota in the top of the opening inning, KHS’ Christopher Pangelinan brought in a run via sacrifice fly followed by another RBI by teammate Benigno Sablan for a 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, Rota’s Perry Mesngon found a gap in mid left field to bring in Peter John Manglona for an RBI single. However, KHS replied with five consecutive hits and collected RBIs along the way to further stretch their lead, 7-1.
Rota tried to equalize in their next turn on the box but were only allowed one run. KHS then connected six straight hits and added another one to gain more distance, 14-2.
After Rota failed to score the top of the fourth, KHS aimed to seal the deal via the 20-run mercy rule.
Rota’s pitcher struggled to find the strike zone, walking the first five batters for a few easy runs, but the succeeding runs came in waves and the game ended with KHS firmly on top, 22-2, to claim the boys division title.
KHS was undefeated throughout the regular season and the championship round.
The team’s coach, Anthony Salas, said a lot of his players “were here last year [for the mountain pitch softball tournament] so it was nice to have them out this year. They all understand what it takes to win. The competition is always good, and high school sports are always fun. And it’s nice to see our neighboring islands of Rota and Tinian giving it their 110% every time.”
Salas said seven seniors will be leaving the KHS team, but several underclassmen will take charge next year.
For Salas, bringing back fastpitch softball is great, but “I grew up with a baseball background, so I want to bring baseball back and have kids thrive in a sport that they could play after high school.”
Rota had an impressive run on Saturday, playing four consecutive games and upsetting Mount Carmel School, 6-4, in the semifinals to reach the championship round.
KHS’ roster consists of Ernie A. Teigita, Justin I. Camacho, Myles T. Remoket, Devin A. Yumul, Benigno P/ Sablan, Willy Joe T. Lieto, Jarrod I. Muna, Anthony Kubo, Ayden I. Magofna, Ethan N. Magofna, Jon Aaden Pinaula, Nathaniel A. Marcil, Francis Darrel Q. Tomokane, Andrey J. Iguel, Achilles L. Evangelista, Fabio Norita, Christopher Pangelinan, Kallan I. Seilder, and Javen I. Camacho.
The Rota Bucks are Victor Barcinas, Ryan Manglona, Dontae Spearman, Peter John Manglona, Taytum Jacob, Perry Mesngon, Edward Kapileo, Titus Hocog, Kaykoa Hocog, Damian Atalig, Justan Reyes, Brian Cabrera, and Malcom Atalig.
Kagman High School players pose with their boys high school division medals and championship trophy at the conclusion of the NMISA-PSS Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill softball field on Saturday.
The Rota Bucks pose for a photo as the 1st runner up in the boys high school division of the NMISA-PSS Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill softball field on Saturday.
Rota Bucks’ Dontae Spearman pitches against Kagman High School during the boys high school division championship of the NMISA-PSS Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill softball field on Saturday.
Kagman High School’s Achilles Evangelista swings and connects a single during the boys high school division title game of the NMISA-PSS Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill softball field on Saturday.
