By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
ACTION heated up at Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Ballfield on Saturday as the Majors Division of Saipan Little League delivered a pair of exciting playoff matchups, highlighted by victories by the Cubs and Dodgers, who overpowered their respective opponents to advance further in the postseason.
The Cubs secured a 12-4 victory over the Mariners thanks to an explosive third inning that put the game out of reach.
The Cubs wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. After a scoreless second frame, they erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the third, combining plate discipline with aggressive baserunning to extend their lead to 10-0.
Despite the deficit, the Mariners refused to go away quietly.
They finally broke through in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs against the Cubs’ pitching staff, and added two more in the fifth. Samuel N. led the Mariners’ offense, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Thomas D. contributed an RBI.
The Cubs answered with two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to seal the 12-4 win.
Skyler L. paced the Cubs’ offense, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Khoen T. added a pair of doubles and finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Jayven S. drove in two runs despite going hitless, showcasing his ability to produce in key situations.
On the mound, Legend C. turned in a dominant performance for the Cubs, tossing four innings while allowing just three hits and two runs, one of them earned. He also struck out nine batters.
Dodgers vs Comets
The Dodgers also advanced with a convincing 12-0 victory over the Comets.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff stole the spotlight, limiting the Comets to a single hit over four innings. Elijah P. set the tone early, tossing 2 2/3 hitless innings while striking out seven of the 10 batters he faced. John C. came on in relief and closed out the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one batter to complete the combined shutout.
While the pitchers kept the Comets in check, the Dodgers’ offense provided more than enough support. They scored a run in the first inning before breaking the game open in the second. Capitalizing on several defensive miscues, the Dodgers plated eight runs in the frame and added three more in the third inning to build a commanding 12-0 lead.
The offensive outburst, coupled with dominant pitching, proved too much for the Comets as the Dodgers cruised into the next round of the playoffs.
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.
