Patriots bag Little League pennant

Defending champion SaipanCell Patriots claimed its third straight Majors division pennant after scoring an 11-1 win over the UMDA Hustlers in their tiebreaker match yesterday in the Saipan Little League at the Miguel Basa “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Field.

Both teams ended up with similar 15-1 slates. The Patriots’ lone loss was against Ol’Aces, while they handed 2005 champion Hustlers their only setback. The Patriots are also aiming to win their third straight title.

Chris Mizer imposed his 5-foot-9 frame on the mound pitching 1.2 innings in relief giving up no runs on one-hit ball, striking out four while walking one. He came in when Raymund Saralu was up to bat in the bottom of the third.

Mizer struck out Saralu then walked Jesus Celes, who was later caught on a 4-6 putout play for the second out.

Hustlers catcher Khobby Kaipat reached base on an error and stole second base but was left stranded when Mizer forced Henry Lizama to an infield fly that was caught by shortstop Jeremy Rabauliman to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Mizer struck out Cody Kaipat then gave up a single to Josh Lucero. Mizer ended the Hustlers run scoring threat when he retired Joseph Borja and A.J. Lizama, who both struck out swinging to end the game.

Jared Sablan started for the Patriots lasting 2.1 innings allowing one unearned run on one hit fanning two but walked four batters. He allowed a single to Saralu in the bottom of the first with two outs then gave up a lead off walk to Kelvin Deleon Guerrero, who scored Hustlers’ lone run when he reached home plate on a Rabauliman error.

Catcher Jun Rabauliman only went 1-for-3 but belted a three-run homer in the top of the second that highlighted the Patriots’ five-run rally. He was hit by pitch in the first and grounded on a 4-3 putout play in the fourth.

Mizer went 2-for-3 with two runs and a double while Brett Halstead had a lead off triple in the third. Alan Aguon connected with a two-RBI double in the first.

Hustlers’ manager Tony Celis was reserving ace pitchers Saralu and Lizama for the playoffs, which begins today at the “Tan Ge” and San Vicente fields. Hustlers will be taking on the Martha’s Store Survivors, while the Patriots battle the dangerous AA Ent./TCC World Braves of Tanapag.

Suns 8, Twins 7

On Sunday, Jenece Salas drove in two runs while Keith Concepcion pitched five innings in relief to help the Shell Marianas Suns squeeze out an 8-7 win over the Wells Fargo As Matuis Twins.

Salas scored one run going 1-for-3 connecting with a one-out two-RBI triple in the third. Concepcion gave up two earned runs on three hits striking out seven batters while walking four.

Pirates 8, A’s 6
Frankie Camacho continued with his late-season exploits on the mound pitching 2.1 innings of no-hit ball to help the Kautz Glass Pirates eke out an 8-6 win over the Tan Holdings Athletics A’s

Camacho slammed the door shut for the A’s striking out five batters with no walks. He also hammered a solo shot in the fourth inning going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.

Jonah Flores only went 1-for-2 but also homered for the Pirates, a second-inning grandslam that highlighted the Kautz Glass-backed team’s seven-run rally.

Ol’Aces 11, Dolphins

Davie Matagolai drove in two runs in the Happy Market Ol’Aces’ 11-3 demolition of the PTI Dolphins.

Matagolai went 1-for-3 and scored one run, while Jeremy Lizama went 2-for-3 with one run, a triple, and an RBI.

Lancaster Secharmidal pitched 4.1 innings in start giving up two unearned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Red Sox 7, McDonald’s 0

Tommy Reyes pitched six shutout innings as the Bank of Saipan Red Sox blanked McDonald’s, 7-0.

Reyes yielded three hits striking out seven batters and walking one. He held McDonald’s to 3-for-21 in batting or a .143 average.

Jerome Reyes went 3-for-3 scoring twice with an RBI while Craig Aguon, who struck out in his first at bat, went 1-for-2 with a two-RBI single in the third.