By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Falcons have secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Saipan Baseball League after outlasting the Bandits, 7–5, and eliminating them from playoff contention during Monday night’s game at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The Falcons were the first to draw blood, with JJ Lifoifoi’s triple turning into the opening run as he was easily brought home by Ian Norita, who earned an RBI single to give the Falcons a 1–0 lead in the top of the first inning.
While the Bandits went down in order in the bottom half, the Falcons kept up the pressure and were rewarded with three more runs in the top of the second inning. Norita recorded his second RBI of the night, while IJ Teigita and Lifoifoi added an RBI and an RBI double, respectively, to widen the gap.
The Bandits, however, refused to fold. They got on the board in the bottom of the second thanks to a pitcher’s balk, followed by an RBI double from Ben Taisacan that cut the deficit to 4–2.
After a scoreless third, both teams traded runs in the fourth. The Falcons plated two runs in the top half, highlighted by Lifoifoi’s RBI single that brought home Teigita. Lifoifoi then stole home to extend the lead. The Bandits responded in the bottom half with two runs of their own off a two-RBI single by Franco Nakamura, keeping the score close at 6–4.
In the top of the sixth, the Falcons gained more breathing room on Norita’s third RBI of the game. The Bandits countered with a solo run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 7–5, but could not rally any further.
Despite holding firm defensively through the final innings, the Bandits ultimately fell short and were eliminated from playoff contention.
The Falcons will face the Blue Jays today, Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the finals.
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.
