D-9ers stun Rock Steady, 8-7

The San Roque D-9ers foiled a late rally by Rock Steady and scored a thrilling 8-7 win in the 2009 Budweiser Saipan Major League Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Coming to the game sans three of their key players, including league-leading batter Robert Bansil, the D-9ers eclipsed a 0-2 deficit with five runs in the top of the third inning to spark the victory and put a damper to Rock Steady’s title retention bid.

Both teams are now holding 3-1 slates to create a three-way tie for the lead. Ford Rangers also sport 3-1 win-loss record, following their 13-0 win over the D-9ers last March 11.

After Manny Sablan and J.P. Lizama scored via two-RBI single by Ed Manibusan for a 2-0 lead for Rock Steady in the bottom of the first inning, third baseman Bob Lizama singled and drove catcher E.J. Tenorio home and first baseman Jonathan Tenorio. Lizama then reached home plate on pitcher Mel Sakisat’s double with no out in the top of the third.

Sakisat also scored on another double by second baseman Ben Mesa, who capped that five-run spurt in the third on consecutive doubles by Pat Camacho.

The D-9ers added one more run by E.J. Tenorio on a single by Jonathan Tenorio for a 6-2 lead in the fourth and surged to a 8-2 lead in the top of the sixth after Wally Emul scored on a single by Jonathan Tenorio and Bob Lizama on a triple by Jeff Tenorio.

Rock Steady tried to keep its hopes alive as Sakisat gave up six hits, including two straight triples and five runs in the bottom eight, with two outs and the score went 8-7.

John Reyes scored on a single by Vince Sablan. Oliver Secharmidal and Manny Sablan then crossed home plate on a two RBI triple by Jerry Ayuyu followed by Ayuyu on another triple by J.P. Lizama, who made the final run of the night on an RBI single by Derron Flores.

Sakisat put an end to the rally by forcing Ed Manibusan to ground out.

In the top of eight, Rock Steady reliever Nick San Nicolas struck out E.J. Tenorio, while Jonathan Tenorio flied out to leftfield and Bob Lizama was retired anew on another strikeout.

In the ninth, Martin Pangelinan grounded out on a 4-3 play, John Flores flied out, and Sakisat polished off the win by striking out Secharmidal, his ninth strikeout in the game.

E.J. Tenorio went 3-for-4 and Bob Lizama had a 2-for-4 stint.

D-9ers coach Chel Castro said it was about time they come out and pull out an important win.

“We need to comeback after we lost to the Rangers,” said Castro, explaining that some of his main men did not show up in that game due to their commitment in the Budweiser Inter-Government/Business Slow-pitch Softball League.

Castro also missed three of his regulars Wednesday night as Bansil could not make it due to his work schedule at Palms Resort, while two young reliables—Eric Tenorio and Chad Atalig—were trying out for the Kagman High School Team.