Suns burn Enforcers in Majors

The Shell Marianas Suns used a seven-run bottom of the fifth scoring rally to squeeze out a 12-11 win over the DPS Enforcers in Thursday’s game in the Majors division of the Saipan Little League at the Miguel Basa “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Field.

The Suns finally nailed their first win ending an 11-game losing streak to get out of the cellar in the 16-team field. The loss dropped the Rep. Diego T. Benavente-backed Enforcers’ record to 1-12.

Paul Celis earned the win pitching 2 1/3 innings in relief where he allowed one earned run on three hits striking out two batters while walking two more.

After the Suns’ seven-run rally, Celis slammed the door shut on the Enforcers in the top of the sixth inning. He began the sixth by striking out Alvin Nepaial for the first out. He then walked Matthew Tenorio to put a runner on base.

Celis bounced back after that picking up a Patrick Somorang grounder and making the throw to shortstop Perry Celis to prevent Tenorio from reaching second base for the second out.

Somorang reached second base when Suns pitcher Celis walked Brandon Reyes. He moved to third on a passed ball to put the tying run closer to home plate while Reyes, who represented the winning run, stole second base.

Both the Enforcers’ base runners were left stranded, however, after Celis forced Ismael Flores to groundout on a 1-3 putout play with first baseman Martin Taman stretching to catch the throw to end the game.

Celis went 2-for-3 with one run, while Juden Joyner, who struck out in his first at bat, went 1-for-2 scoring a run to go with his triple and two RBIs. Joyner had an RBI triple in the Suns’ fifth inning scoring splurge.

Keith Concepcion also went 1-for-2 with two runs, a double, and two RBIs. He contributed an RBI double in the Suns’ seven-run fifth inning.

The loss wasted Vince Rangamar’s 3-for-3 performance to go with his two runs, a double, and two RBIs. Justo Castro went 2-for-3 with one run and an RBI. Sid Nepaial, 2-for-4, made one run with an RBI triple.

JUNIOR LEAGUE

Ol’Aces 14, Fielders 12

The UMDA Ol’Aces survived being shutout in the final three innings and the Fielders’ seven-run seventh inning to pull off a thrilling 14-12 win in the Junior League at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field on Tuesday.

Jesse Yamagishi and Rocco Reyes combined for 4-for-8 with five runs, three doubles, and six RBIs. Yamagishi had a two-RBI double in Ol’Aces’ seven-run third, while Ryes connected with a two-RBI single in the same inning.

A.J. Taitano earned the win pitching 5 1/3 innings in start giving up five runs—one earned—on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Brothers Peter and Patrick Tenorio combined for 5-for-7 in batting with four runs and two doubles. Patrick also had an RBI, while Kelvin Villagomez went 2-for-5 with one run and two RBIs.

SENIOR LEAGUE

Fielders 11, D9ers 0

On Thursday, the Tan Holdings Fielders completed its 11-0 win over the D9ers in a game that was stalled by a power outage last March 27 also at the FML Baseball Field.

Anthony Tenorio pitched four one-hit innings, in a game shortened by the 10-run mercy rule, fanning six batters while walking two more. Ioanis Rasa pitched one inning in relief to earn the save.

Rasa, in the bottom of the fifth, forced Isaiah Lizama to a grounder where Robert Guerrero picked up the ball and made the relay throw to Wensner Namelo at first base for the first out.

Rasa struck out Mart Sablan and ended the game when he made Jack Reyes to groundout on a 1-3 putout play.

Rasa went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. He had a two-RBI single in the first and an RBI double in the second.

Tom Agulto, who reached first base on an error by D9ers catcher Mike Iguel in the first inning, went 2-for-2 with four runs. He had a two-RBI triple in the second inning.