By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
AS the PSS-NMISA Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY25-26 playoffs draw near, Hopwood Middle School is looking to close the regular season in the boys middle school division on a strong note after earning its fourth win with an 18-0 victory over Francisco M. Sablan Middle School on Saturday at the Dandan ballfield.
HMS established control early in the game. The defense set the tone in the opening inning behind pitcher Joshua Lizama, who struck out three batters while issuing two walks to keep FMS scoreless.
In the bottom of the first inning, HMS came out swinging, scoring four runs. Lizama and Ezekiel Camacho each drove in a run to give HMS a 4-0 lead.
FMS attempted to respond in the top of the second inning, loading runners on second and third base. However, the scoring threat was cut short when HMS picked off a runner at third base for the third out, preserving the shutout.
HMS continued to pour it on in the bottom of the second inning as FMS struggled to find the strike zone, allowing multiple walks. Combined with timely hits, HMS added 10 more runs to extend the lead to 14-0.
FMS again threatened in the third inning with runners on second and third, but the rally fizzled when a flyout by Chace Reyes resulted in the third out, leaving FMS scoreless once more.
HMS sealed the victory in the bottom of the third inning, adding four more runs. Jeno Pino drove in two runners to push the lead to 18-0.
Due to the 10-run mercy rule, the game ended after three complete innings, with HMS claiming the win.
In the second game of the day, Dandan Middle School JV defeated Saipan International School, 27-5. DMS JV built an early advantage by scoring 10 runs in the first inning and added another 10 in the fifth before SIS accepted defeat.
Pending Wednesday’s results, the current seedings are as follows:
1) TMS (6-0)
2) HMS (5-1)
3) DMS (5-1)
4) RHI (auto seeding)
5) COVMS (3-4)
6) FMS (1-6)
Saipan International School will play its final game against Hopwood. A win would earn SIS the No. 6 seed, while a loss would eliminate the team from playoff contention.
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.
