CNMI Juniors stunned in opener
The Junior League All-Stars of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association suffered a heart-breaking loss in the opening round of the Little League World Series yesterday in Taylor, Michigan when they were topped by Puerto Rico by two runs in a contest that went down to the wire.
With the score tied at two apiece in the bottom of the seventh, Puerto Rico smacked a two-run shot over the wall at Heritage Park that sent the crowd to its feet. The walk-off homer gave Puerto Rico a solid start in the opening round of play, but the resilient Asia-Pacific representatives from the CNMI are used to dealing with adversity.
With experienced players like Jonathan Salas, Juan Tenorio, and Ryan Ada returning to the big stage for the second time, the local boys still have a shot at bagging their first series title for the region in its history.
While the people of the Marianas are off in dreamland, Saipan’s finest will tackle a tough Canadian team that is coming off of a landslide victory over the Netherlands, 10-1. The kids from the Orleans Little League of Ontario made quick work of their competition, and joined Puerto Rico at the top of the International Pool at 1-0. The Puerto Ricans return to the ball field as well when they challenge the Curundu Little League All-Stars of Panama. The Latin American reps are untested as of yet, but the Panamanians have a history of playing strong in the big show.
