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Yankees take SML opener
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Posted on Mar 10 2005
After the pomp and circumstance of the opening ceremonies, the Northern Yankees outlasted the Miller Lite Brewers 5-4 in a nail biter that went down to the wire to kick off the 2005 season of the Saipan Major League at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field in Oleai Wednesday night.
Representatives from all seven teams were on hand, as the Ford Rangers, San Antonio Mets, Toyota Tacoma, Bud Kings, and Freedom Air Masters joined the Yankees and Brewers upon the field to usher in the latest edition of top-caliber baseball in the CNMI.
The Yankees picked up their winning run in the top of the ninth inning when Johnty Jones singled in John Reyes, and counted on pitcher Everett Ngiraidong to keep the explosive Brewers hitters at bay to close out the game.
With the win, the Yankees rid themselves of the hangover from last season’s loss in the SML championship, and they also got the 2005 season off on the right foot with solid all-around play from the entire team.
Starting pitcher Chris Camacho gave up five hits in five innings for the Yankees, and allowed three runs, struck out three, and walked a pair. When Camacho left the field after the bottom of the fifth, the score was tied at three apiece.
Ngiraidong started off the bottom of the sixth by striking out Ed Kapileo, and followed up ending the inning with another whiff-out by Frances George. The reliever allowed one run off of four hits the rest of the way to slam the door shut on any hopes of a Brewers rally in the ninth.
The Yankees offense was led by right fielder Ben Jones who went 3-for-5 on the night with a trio of base knocks and two scores, while teammates Reyes and Jones each went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, including Jones’ eventual game winner.
As a whole, the Yankees were held to 10 hits in nine innings due to quality pitching from the duo of Byron Kaipat and Jon Camacho. Kaipat gave up three runs off of six hits through five innings of work, fanned two, and walked a pair, while Camacho allowed two runs off of four hits with five strikeouts.
The best brand of baseball in the Northern Marianas returns to the Oleai Sports Complex tonight when the Ford Rangers take on the San Antonio Mets at 6pm at the Palacios field.
