The NMI Baseball Team players pose for a photo before their opening game against Guam at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau on Wednesday.
NMSA photo
THE NMI kicked off the sport of baseball with a dramatic walk-off victory on Wednesday, rallying in the bottom of the seventh and final inning to steal a 7-6 win over longtime rival Guam during the 2025 Pacific Mini Games at Nippon Baseball Stadium in Koror, Palau.
The NMI started strong, scoring two runs in the bottom of the opening inning and adding two more by the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.
Guam, however, regained momentum by the top of the sixth and mounted a sudden five-run rally to surge ahead, 6-4.
By the bottom of the seventh, all seemed lost for the NMI after Guam’s infield picked off Nokki Saralu and Ton Tenorio, putting the defending champs one out away from defeat.
But Guam’s celebration was cut short, as Lamarc Iguel delivered a momentum-shifting single to keep the NMI alive. Joe Lifoifoi followed with another single, placing runners on first and second.
Spencer Dickenson then stepped up and connected on a clutch double, allowing Iguel and Lifoifoi to score and tie the game, 6-6.
Jerald Cabrera sealed the win with a walk-off single, bringing home JR Suel — pinch-running for Dickenson — and capping off the NMI’s late-game comeback, 7-6.
“[It’s] a great feeling for sure. Team Guam came out strong, and it took everything we had to get the job done. The NMI ‘never say die’ attitude really showed itself today,” said NMI team manager James Kintol. “Quick two outs is definitely a tough way to start the inning, but I still had a lot of confidence in Lamarc to get on base and push the inning. Sure enough, he did — and we managed to capitalize on that,” he added.
Kintol expects the same level of competition throughout the tournament, stating, “We believe the targets are on our backs as defending champions, so we know these teams will be playing their best baseball. We’re looking forward to seeing all the teams. It’s a great experience all the way around to get the opportunity to play against other countries.”
