Ace Agulto, Angels ascend in afternoon, 1-0

Big League hurler Jesse Agulto outlasted a pair of Pirates pitchers long enough to earn a seven-inning shutout win on Sunday when his Northern Angels eked out a 1-0 victory at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field in continuation of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association.

Agulto was amazing on the hill allowing just three hits and fanning six to pick up the complete game win over their rivals to take sole possession of first place in the Bigs, but the Angels had plenty of trouble with the opposing pitchers as well.

Manny Ada and James Kintol combined to pitch a one-run, three-hitter for the Pirates but the outcome was decided in the bottom of the second when Leroy Dela Cruz connected for his only hit of the game to drive in catcher Zachary Concepcion. Centerfielder Derick Babauta picked up the only other hits for the Angels to go 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a stolen base.

Concepcion reached base after Ada plunked him in the bottom of the second and later stole second to get into scoring position before Dela Cruz smacked him in. At 4-1, the Angels not rule the Big Leaguers, but the Pirates and Ol’Aces are close behind at 3-2, while the Fielders are not too far off the pace at 2-3.

SENIOR LEAGUE

FALCONS 7, FIELDERS 2

After hand-delivering 14 strikeouts to the Fielders on Sunday morning under the sun at Tan Ko, Marley Techur has taken his pitching from light speed to plaid, as his Senior League Falcons soared into second place with a 7-2 win at the Oleai Sports Complex.

Techur allowed a pair of runs and surrendered just three hits through seven innings to pick up a complete game win and to move to within a game of the first place Hustlers (5-1).

While Techur was pitching a storm his teammates were providing the pop that propelled them to the top. Ryan Ada went 1-for-3 with a two run single in the top of the fifth, and first baseman Gerome Mira went 3-for-4 with a string of singles, while Buddy Igitol went 2-for-3 with a single and a two-bagger.

The Falcons got on the board early with three runs in the top of the first and added a pair in both the fifth and seventh while Techur mowed the Fielders to seal the deal.

MAJOR LEAGUE

PATRIOTS 14, PIRATES 4

Standout player Timothy Rabago had another incredible day at Miguel “Tan Ge” Field on Sunday as he pitched a solid game and hit for the cycle to lead the Patriots to their 12th win of the season, but even more remarkable is that a month ago it was an accomplishment for him to stand at all.

After breaking his leg weeks ago on the diamond, Rabago has now officially recovered from the mishap to become one of the hottest players in the league. Rabago allowed three runs off of two hits and fanned eight through three and a third innings before turning over the mound to Brian Camacho, but the kid’s hitting was even more impressive.

Rabago earned an RBI in each of his four at bats by smacking a solo homerun, and triple, a double, and a single to complete the cycle. He could have stretched the final hit to a double but the coaches held him on base to complete the feat.

Catcher Anthony Salas also had a good day at the plate with a pair of RBI doubles and an RBI triple.

KAGMAN 1-2-3 14, AS MATUIS TWINS 4

The kids from Kagman 1-2-3 continued to cruise at the Oleai Sports Complex as they toppled the As Matuis win 14-4 to improve to 10-2 and maintain their two-game gap with the first place Patriots.

Richard Dela Cruz was the story once again for Kagman as he pitched a complete game five-hitter and fanned 10, while slugging a single, a double, and driving in three runs. Shortstop Leroy Regis joined the hit parade with a two-run double, a single, and a two-run homer, while Benjamin Hocog went 1-for-4 with three ribbies.

If the homesteaders continue to win their showdown with the Patriots on May 28, it will gain greater significance for the race for the pennant. While nobody has beaten the Pats, the talent in the Majors is evenly distributed and anyone can win at anytime.

TANAPAG BRAVES 12, TOYOTA MATRIX 3

The fourth place Tanapag Braves created some space between themselves and McDonald’s on Sunday as they test drove the Toyota Matrix pitching staff for a dozen runs in their 12-3 victory.

What has to sting the Matrix coaching staff is that the Braves scored their 12 runs off of a half dozen hits. Lamarc Iguel had a third of that total with a two-run double and a two-run triple, while Erwin Fred had another good outing in as many days with an RBI single to finish 1-for-2.

Pitcher Jotham Camacho was no slouch as he surrendered nine hits and fanned six for the complete-game win, while driving in a run on his only hit of the game when he singled in the top of the third inning.