Excitement high in Little League

A jampacked crowd was on hand to witness the opening of the 2001 Saipan Little League Baseball Saturday at the Palacios Field. Twenty-three participating teams were all represented during the league’s opening day.

The opening ceremony was highlighted by the presence of House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, Sen. Pete Reyes, Mayor Jose Sablan, Councilmen Greg Guerrero, David Indalecio and Jess Lizama, Fr. Ino, Community Secretary Tom Tebuteb.

During the ceremonial pitch, Senator Reyes threw two off pitch for two straight bad pitch at Mayor Sablan before beaning him on the leg as the crowd roared from the stance every where as Speaker Fitial looked with disbelief.

But everything went out fine as both gentlemen shook hands in front of League Vice President Brien Ser Nicholas who happened to be the blue behind the plate and greeted both men and expressed appreciation for outstanding sportsmanship.

In the Little League opening game, defending champions DanDan Blue jays edged out the Little League Sluggers 4-2 behind James Kintol 5-10 strikeouts, gave up 2 hits and 2 walks.

Mike Guerrero had 2 hits, scored a run in the losing effort in the second game, C.J. Kaneshi had 3 hit scored twice while teammate June Camacho with 2 hits and 2 runs and Jonathan Pangelinan knocked in 3 runs as the Matuis Twins defeated the Ol’Aces 9-4. Jacob Babauta had 2 hits including 2 runs in the losing effort.

In the final game, Kagman 1,2,3 edged out the Garapan Pirates 9-8 in a thrilling one. Scotty Ramangmou sparked the Kagman’s offense with 2 hits and 3 runs batted in. Lynard Tenorio went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in, in the losing effort.

In the Junior League opening game played at the Palacios field, the Furusato Comets racked 13 hits including a two run homerun by Brien Nicholas Jr. in the first ever enclosed 300 feet homerun fence, as the Comets defeated champions Ol’Aces by a score of 18-13.

Seth Sablan, Gary Cruz, Brien Nicholas, Dasom Camacho and Jesse Garcia all chipped in with 2 hits a piece in the winning effort. Tony Palacios had 3 hits and 2 runs scored while Jonathan Sablan, Jack Lizama and Sixtus Aquino all with 2 hits in the losing effort.

In the second game, the Toros defeated the Matuis Twins 23-6 in a game cut short due to the 10 run mercy rule. Ryan Duenas hit a solo homerun in his first season at bat clearing the left field wall also scored two times, Thomas Borja, George Fleming and Zack Concepcion all with 2 hits a piece in the winning side.

Jessie Agulto and John Tudela scored 3 times as well, the Toros scored in every inning enroute to the season opening victory. Sidro Sablan had 3 hits, Ryan Sablan with 2 hits and female star Venoric Tenorio with 2 hits and a run in the losing side.

In the third and final game of the night in the Senior League Division, the defending champions Ananas Southern Hustlers behind the relief pitching of Bobby Joe Castro limited the Ol’Aces to just 4 in 2 1/2 inning struck out 5 and walked 3 as the Hustlers 14-7 over the Ol’Aces. Ricky Manahane blasted 2 triples finishing the night with 3 hits and 2 RBI”s, Dane Lizama had 2 hits, knocked in 3 runs and Franklyn Muna had 2 hits, knocked in 2 runs batted in for the Hustlers.

Bill Kaipat has 2 hits with 3 runs, hitting a triple and Henry Rabauliman had 2 hits including a triple in the losing cause.