Saipan’s cream of the crop will represent the CNMI as they advanced to the Asia Pacific Baseball Tournament that will be held at the same venue on June 25.
Anthony Salas, the regular season’s batting leader with a batting average of 626, McGarrett Duenas who had a batting average of 413 and Peter Michael Tenorio, proved themselves again as they all drove in three straight runs in the second inning.
Duenas had 1 single with one RBI allowing Diego Camacho to score a run in the fourth inning.
Camacho himself had two RBIs sending Rocco Reyes and Peter Tenorio home to score runs in the sixth inning.
Tenerio also went 2-for-2.
Salas went 2-for-4 with one RBI sending Ricardo Dela Cruz to score a run on top of the sixth inning.
Lamarc Iguel added 64 to his pitching count as he put in the ball into the fourth inning, allowed seven strike outs and gave up one hit and no run.
Regular season’s pitching leader Harry Nakamura with 2.42 ERA continued to the sixth inning giving up six strike outs and allowed two hits and no run.
In the first game of the double header on Saturday, Duenas did much better as he went 3-for-3, had two single, four RBIs and hit an inside-the-park homerun. He also scored four runs to beat Tinian 19-1.
Salas went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and scored three runs.
The winning pitcher in that game was Peter Tenorio who succeeded a no-hitter in two innings and gave out four strike outs. Dela Cruz relieved him in three remaining innings and allowed only one run, gave up three strike outs, allowed three hits and a walk.
Tinian’s Benjie Decena had one RBI and hit a single to earn their only score.
In the afternoon game, Salas went 3-for-4 with five RBIs and hit one single.
Tenorio went 2-for-2 and scored three runs.
McGarret also went 2-for-2, and Rocco Regis hit two RBIs.
Leroy Regis was the winning pitcher as he pitched a no-hitter 3.1 innings and give up two strike outs and allowed two runs.
Almost all in Saipan’s team scored runs in the third inning to beat Tinian 19-6.
Coach Vinnie Sablan in an interview after yesterday’s championship said Guam, Philippines and Indonesia are all tough teams to beat but they preparing much for Guam.
Guam, he said has a longer baseball program than CNMI as they play more games in preparation for the Asia Pacific meet.
Sablan said the Guam Team has to go through six games before making it to the regional tournament. The CNMI team, he said has a shortest route to the World Series as they only three games in the district meet and one in regional.
Tournament director, Mike Borja however believes CNMI has better baseball program than that of Guam as the organizers can put full attention to the selection team and spend time practicing much earlier.
The district tournament he said went smoothly and he wants to thank the volunteers, the parents and a big thanks to Tinian team and supporters.
The All Star teams for Majors and Senior leagues, he said are set to leave Tuesday morning for Rota for district meet there.
Saipan’s All Star Big League team automatically advances to the regional tournament since Rota and Tinian have no team for such division.
