By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
4Ma’ia recorded another victory in the 2025 Budweiser Belau Amateur Softball Association Open League on Sunday, edging Saipal 4–3 at the Dandan Middle School ball field.
It was a tightly contested match defined by strong defensive performances on both sides.
4Ma’ia came out aggressive, quickly forcing three outs at the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, they scored the game’s opening run when Mingko Taimanao brought home leadoff batter Mychel Deleon Guerrero with an RBI single for a 1-0 lead.
The defensive standoff continued through the next three innings, with neither team managing to generate scoring opportunities.
Saipal finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning by shifting to a more patient approach. Three consecutive walks issued by 4Ma’ia allowed two runs to come across, and Jeff Isaac followed with an RBI single to take the lead, 3-1. In the bottom half, 4Ma’ia responded with a solo home run from Leo William to close the gap to 3-2, but Saipal held firm to maintain their advantage.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Saipal failed to add insurance in the top of the seventh and final inning. They managed to record one out in the bottom half before 4Ma’ia’s Bing blasted a solo homer — his second of the game — to tie it at 3-3. Saipal recorded a second out, but not before Taimanao reached first on a walk.
With two outs and the game on the line, Jun Blas delivered a line drive to center field. The ball carried far enough for Taimanao to round the bases and score the winning run after a failed pickoff attempt at home, securing 4Ma’ia’s walk-off victory, 4-3.
Other games
Also earning wins on Sunday were Belias Bat Boys over The Kliq, 13-11; Akkari over Blue Jays, 10-3; and Homies over Kebruka, 12-7.
