The NMI baseball players acknowledge the crowd after defeating FSM, 15-5, in the bronze medal game of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games at Nippon Baseball Stadium in Koror, Palau, on Monday.
Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games Facebook page
THE NMI Baseball Team will not be going home empty-handed, as they came out victorious over the Federated States of Micronesia, 15-5, in the bronze medal game of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games at Nippon Baseball Stadium in Koror, Palau, on Monday.
NMI entered the top of the opening inning swinging. Franco Nakamura was the first to draw blood after a single to left field brought in Nokki Saralu. Their early lead was solidified by the following batter, Nate Camacho, who connected on a two-run homer to give NMI a 3-0 advantage before FSM stopped the bleeding.
Although FSM bounced back with three runs in the bottom of the second inning, NMI quickly regained control in the top of the third with an RBI double by Camacho — his third RBI of the game — followed by three more earned runs to widen the gap to 7-3.
NMI continued the onslaught in the top of the fourth inning with a run scored off a fielder’s choice, followed by an RBI double by Josh Jones and another run scored off an error to extend the lead to 10-3.
FSM still had some fight left in them and were rewarded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. However, Nate Camacho remained a major threat, responding with a three-run homer — his second of the game — followed by a two-run shot from Jerald Cabrera to give NMI a commanding 15-5 lead.
With the 10-run mercy rule in effect, NMI secured the bronze medal over FSM after just five complete innings.
Prior to the bronze medal match, NMI was in contention for gold but was denied by host nation Palau, 12-5. Palau went on to claim gold by defeating Guam, 8-1.
