By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE women’s division finale of the 3rd Annual CNMI Softball Tournament was just as exciting as its counterpart — if not more — as the 670 Babes stunned Lady Akkari with back-to-back victories in the two-game championship series to claim the title Sunday afternoon at Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Field.
Entering the seven-team double-elimination bracket as the No. 2 seed, the 670 Babes suffered an early setback Sunday morning when they fell to Lady Akkari in the winner’s bracket final. Forced into the lower bracket, they quickly regrouped and dispatched Lady SUFA, earning a rematch and forcing an “if-necessary” championship game.
Game 1
Knowing they needed two straight wins to capture the crown, the 670 Babes set the tone early in Game 1. Behind precise situational hitting, they built steady offensive production, starting in the opening inning when Anu Aldan singled to bring in Rachel Salalila for an RBI.
Defensively, the 670 Babes were equally sharp, keeping Lady Akkari scoreless through the first five innings — highlighted by an impressive pickoff at home plate to deny a run in the second inning. While Lady Akkari remained quiet offensively, the 670 Babes extended their lead with key hits from Moriah Sablan, Jen Palacios, Julie Palacios, and a solo home run by Aldan to make it 5-0.
Lady Akkari finally broke through with two runs in the sixth inning and added a late three-run surge in the seventh, highlighted by hits from Rosie Saralu and Nancie Celis. However, the rally fell short as the 670 Babes added three runs in the top of the sixth to secure an 8-5 win and force a winner-take-all Game 2.
Game 2
With everything on the line, both teams delivered an offensive showcase in Game 2.
Lady Akkari struck first in the second inning, scoring twice on timely hitting from Ayan Kaipat, who finished with two RBIs. The 670 Babes responded immediately in the bottom half with a string of consecutive hits to plate four runs and seize a 4-2 lead.
The middle innings turned into a back-and-forth battle. Lady Akkari surged ahead with back-to-back three-run innings in the fourth and fifth, but the 670 Babes continued to chip away, using aggressive base running and timely hits from players such as Cat Dela Cruz and Edilynn Benjamin to stay within striking distance, 9-8.
By the end of seven innings, the game was tied 10-10, forcing extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Lady Akkari showed why they entered the tournament as the top seed, pushing across two runs to take a 12-10 lead and move within three outs of the championship.
But the 670 Babes answered with their final surge. Trailing by two, they strung together clutch hits in the bottom of the inning to load the bases and spark a dramatic rally. Three consecutive runs crossed the plate, sealing a stunning 13-12 walk-off victory and the women’s division championship of the 3rd Annual CNMI Softball Tournament.
The 670 Babes roster includes Amy Cabrera, Rachel Salalila, Cat Dela Cruz, Lizann Deleon Guerrero, Jen Palacios, Julie Palacios, Moriah Sablan, Alannah Sablan, Anu Aldan, Janice Celis, Tiah Camacho, Pauline Camacho, Kuki Pangelinan, Tanny Hocog, Franica Masga, Edilynn Benjamin, and Angie Ruiz.
The Lady Akkari roster includes Mardina Kaipat, Konalynn Cabrera, Lanalei Santos, Alexiana Tyquiengco, Ayan Kaipat, Davian Atalig, Rosie Saralu, Daisy Kaipat, Kona Tudela, Marissa Cepeda, Tee Remarii, Sonia Isaac, Jovie Omar, Nenita Romolor, Nancie Celis, Kaydie Kaipat, and Brittany Luzama.
The seven participating teams were the 670 Babes, Lady Akkari, SUFA, Tipsies, Lady Jays, QP, and Lady Mixers from Guam.
Beyond the action on the diamond at the Oleai Sports Complex, the tournament served as a unifying community event for Saipan. Rescheduled to Memorial Day weekend following the devastation of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, organizers transformed the gate area and team gatherings into a successful donation drive, collecting large amounts of clothing and canned goods to support families in local relief shelters.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
