The Tanapag Middle School players pose for a photo with the boys middle school division championship trophy of the SBL-PSS Interscholastic Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill baseball field on Saturday.
Tanapag Middle School shortstop Justin Garde throws the ball infield for the out during the boys middle school division championship game of the SBL-PSS Interscholastic Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill baseball field on Saturday.
TANAPAG Middle School won the boys middle school division title by outlasting Hopwood Middle School, 5-4, in the finale of the SBL-PSS Interscholastic Softball League SY23-24 at the Capital Hill baseball field on Saturday.
It was truly a championship game as both teams played as equals.
After allowing only one HMS hit in the opening inning, TMS broke the silence in the bottom of the second with Benigno Sablan’s single bringing in Justin Garde for an RBI and the lead, 1-0.
After holding down the fort for another inning, HMS sparked a comeback in the top of the fourth. TMS nearly denied the runs, but Jequinn Lizama and Jesse Santos, who were on base, took advantage of defensive errors to slip past home base and take over the lead, 2-1.
HMS extended the deficit with a solo run in the top of the fifth, but TMS answered with three runs to regain a slight advantage, 4-3. HMS hit a solo run in the top of the sixth to even the score, 4-4.
TMS then capitalized off HMS’ struggle to find the strike zone with two runners filling the base via base on ball, which followed Benigno Sablan’s walk-off single that brought in Rex Jose to seal the win in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, 5-4.
“It’s amazing, this is the first time ever for me and assistant coach, Mr. Adam [Salila]. It’s been an honor and an experience — we’re proud of our middle school boys,” TMS head coach Neil Camacho said in an interview.
“We’ve definitely come so far in terms of discipline and hard work,” Salila said.
Most of the TMS players only had back-of-the-yard experience with softball, but after a couple of practices, they proved to be a powerhouse team.
Asked if they aim to defend their title next year, Salila said, “Oh no, we are focused on sportsmanship and respect and having fun. That’s the main focus for the kids.”
He then went on to thank “Kyle and his team, NextLevelCNMI — they’ve done a great job hosting this event.”
