Ayuyus drub Bucks, 22-2, for fastpitch title 

The undefeated Kagman High School Ayuyus ended the PSS-NMI Softball Association Interscholastic Boys High School Fast Pitch Softball League 2024-2025 with a championship title as they drubbed Rota’s Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr./Sr. High School Bucks, 22-2, in the finals at the Capital Hill Softball Field last Saturday.

The Bucks didn’t fly all this way just to leave empty handed and climbed their way to the top where they met the top seeded Ayuyus after having already played three previous games on a hot day. By the time they got to the finals, they were exhausted but still played their hearts out.

With the Ayuyus coming into the finals fresh, they took advantage quickly and scored two runs in the first inning for a 2-0 game. The Bucks’ Peter John Manglona then cut the lead in half after he scored at the top of the second, but that was as close as they could get to KHS.

At the bottom of the second, the floodgates opened and KHS’ strong offense that kept them dominant in the regular season came to life once again. They clobbered RHI pitcher Dontae Spearman with back-to-back hits that all resulted in runs.

When the dust settled, the bottom of the order from Kallen Seilder, Devin Yumul, Ernie Teigita, back to the top of the lineup—Javen Camacho and King—all scored for a 7-2 game.

The third inning was even more of a struggle for the Bucks’ pitching and defense as KHS’ bats made contact after contact with the ball. After just one run scored for the Bucks by Victor Barcinas, seven more runs came in for the Ayuyus to make it 14-2.

It was all KHS from there as eight more runs would score and the game was called to end early on run-mercy ruling, for a 22-2 final.

KHS’ roster includes Ernie Teigita, Justin Camacho, Myles Remoket, Devin Yumul, Benigno Sablan, Willy Joe Lieto, Jarrod Muna, Anthony Kubo, Ayden Magofna, Ethan Magofna, Jon Pinaula, Nathaniel Marcil, Francis Tomokane, Andrey Iguel, Achilles Evangelista, Fabio Norita, Christopher Pangelinan, Kallan Seilder, and Javen Camacho. Their head coach was Anthony Salas and assistant coach was Darion Jones.

The Bucks were Victor Barcinas, Ryan Manglona, Dontae Spearman, Peter John Manglona, Taytum Jacob, Perry Mesngon, Edward Kapileo, Titus Hocog, Kaykoa Hocog, Damian Atalig, Justan Reyes, Brian Cabrera, and Malcolm Atalig. Their head coach was E. Orilla and assistant coach was Fidel Manglona.

Third place went to Mount Carmel School Knights after they lost to the Bucks via walk off, 4-6.

Last school year, KHS also took home the championship for the Inaugural PSS-NMI Softball Association Interscholastic Boys High School Slow Pitch Softball League.

Anthony Salas, KHS head coach, said after the championships, “we feel good. The kids worked hard this year. A lot of them were here last year so it was nice to have them out again this year. They all understand what it takes to win, so it was good.”

As for the competition, he said, “It was good. I think high school sports [are] always fun. It’s nice to see our neighboring islands Tinian and Rota visit and play against them. It’s not baseball, but the kids are doing 110% in whatever they choose to do so it’s nice to see.”

He said the KHS team has seven seniors in their roster so next year will be a little tough, but “We have a lot of underclassmen that are playing in the varsity team so hopefully they take charge next year.”

On what he thinks of the league, he said, “It’s nice to have the kids on the field. I grew up with a baseball background so I want baseball as the priority. We’re trying to get the youth hopefully in baseball and where the kids can thrive in a sport that they could do outside of high school.”