With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Paython Sakuma’s double moved Lefty Shiro to scoring position before Martin sliced the lead-taking double.
Saipal’s early two-run advantage prompted the Xterminators to switch positions, with right fielder, Roy Celis taking the left field; left fielder, Eric Palacios setting foot on the mound and pitcher Mel Sakisat protecting the third base.
Ben Mesa was out on a fly ball to the right field during the top of the second inning. Pauline Tudela hit a go-ahead single before Palacios’ double pushed her one base away then, Thelma Mizer finally drove her in with a single.
Oliver Secharmidal’s sacrifice fly sent Palacios home to tie the game and Celis’ rocket went too far wasting their chance to take the lead. (In this tournament, a homer automatically throws the batter out.)
Beverly Ngirmekur, Lawrence Dikito and Left Shiro had an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead again.
Manny Sablan hit a run-scoring double and JJ Laniyo drove-in a run with a sacrifice fly as the Xterminators mounted the rally in the third inning for one-run lead.
Saipal however, erased that lead in a three-run third inning with Bobai connecting an RBI single and Didi Tudela driving-in a run on short stop’s error.
Hector Efraim foiled Schermidal’s land drive attempt and Martin beat Ben Tagabuel in the top of the fourth inning. Celis and Jerry Ayuyu both hit a single but Efraim’s throw to the first baseman, Beverly Ngirmekur stranded them for a scoreless fourth inning.
Sakuma walked before Martin’s single moved him to scoring spot. They both scored the winning runs on Bobai’s double in the fifth.
The Xterminators needed to score four runs to tie the game in the seventh inning. Dave Camacho Jr. and Jerry Ayuyu hit a run-scoring single and JJ Laniyo drove-in a run.
But Sakuma shut Xterminators’ road to recovery on Pauline Tudela’s fly ball to the center field.
The Xterminators were the first to clinch the final berth then, continued to dominate the tournament after beating Saipal in the second leg.
Saipal will represent Saipan in the regional Budweiser KQOD next month.
