By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
IN Week 3 of the Saipan Little League Inc.’s inaugural Girls With Game 2026 Fastpitch Softball League, the battle for the top spot continued as the Aztecs edged Native Nenis, 4–2, on Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Ballfield.
After suffering a loss to Native Nenis in their season opener, the Aztecs relied on sharp baserunning and a lockdown pitching performance to even the score.
Unlike the high-scoring affair in their first meeting, Saturday’s contest was a showcase of defensive play and control. Despite allowing two of the first three batters to reach base, the Aztecs kept their composure and followed with a flurry of hits that created scoring opportunities. Capitalizing on errors by Native Nenis, the Aztecs pushed across three runs before their opponents could stop the momentum, taking a 3–0 lead.
Native Nenis attempted to respond but managed to put only one runner on base — after a hit-by-pitch — before closing out the first inning scoreless. While they remained unable to score, Native Nenis tightened their defense, holding the Aztecs scoreless through the second and third innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, another Native Nenis error proved costly, allowing Aztecs’ Naomi Sablan to circle the bases and extend the lead to 4–0.
In the bottom half of the inning, Native Nenis finally broke through as Maxiann Sablan drove in two runs with a single, scoring Destiny Palacios and Bentley Santos to cut the deficit to 4–2.
The comeback bid was short-lived, however, as the Aztecs recorded two quick outs via pickoff and strikeout to seal the victory.
While the Aztecs avenged their earlier loss to Native Nenis, they later fell to the Pink Sluggers the same day, dropping a narrow 6–5 decision.
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.
