Bat & Boujee champs of DYS Strike-out Child Abuse softball tourney

Team Bat & Boujee won the first ever DYS Co-ed Strike-out Child Abuse Softball Tournament last Sunday at the Capital Hill Softball Field.

They won $300 along with championship bragging rights after outscoring second place Team Karidat, 20-6.

Team Karidat received $200 for their second-place finish.

In the championship last Sunday afternoon, Karidat and Bat & Boujee got their bats cracking early on for a 4-3 Karidat lead. Karidat’s Luis Iguel Jr. and Jesus Iguel both scored RBI home runs, while Bat & Boujee’s Juan Iguel, Mar, and Irvin Saralu scored.

Bat & Boujee then took the lead in the second from another homer by Juan Iguel and a homerun by Kimo Angailen, plus more runs from the rest of the lineup to make it 11-4.

Bat & Boujee’s pitching held down Karidat’s batting for the rest of the game as they scored only two more runs. On the other hand, Bat & Boujee went on to score nine more for a 20-6 final.

Bat & Boujee consisted of Lorna Iginoef, Rona Ogumoro, Lamarc Iguel, Janica Iguel, Virly Secharmidal, Joron Fitial, Patrick Jr., Joshua Iginoef, Sina Ruben, Kimo Angailen, Juan Iguel, Pauline Iguel, Jobe Reyes, Nokki Saralu, Mike Iguel, Choi Santos, Irvyn Saralu, Charnessa Lizama, and Giovanni Mira.

Team Karidat was made up of McCain Reginald, Athena Wabol, Aries Wabol, Ton Salas, Raven Santos, Luis Iguel Jr., Joey Dela Cruz, Casey Mendiola, T.J. Dela Cruz, Kazu Dela Cruz, Vileene Norita, Magdalena Lisua, Nicole Ongrung, Jordan Suel, Jesus Iguel, and Jay Camacho.

Third place went to Team Atoma with a prize of $100.

Department of Youth Services-Child Protective Services intervention specialist Mariah Barcinas said it was a first of its kind event in celebration of the Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month campaign this month.

DYS director Vivian Sablan said of the event that it’s a way to reach out to the community. “We want to be able to spread the message effectively and reach out to the community… at the same time, we’re advocating for our victims and we’re trying to promote awareness and prevent child abuse and neglect.”

The tourney spanned four days which began last April 4, and Sablan said they’ve always had a full house of spectators. With that, she said she feels like they’ve accomplished what they set out to do, which was to reach as many families as they could.

With their recent release of child abuse/neglect statistics, which was at an all-time high, Sablan’s message to the community was, “We’re here to help and do not be afraid because asking for help is a sign of strength. We’re here to provide the support that families need in order for them to thrive and be sufficient in the community and have a healthy and strong family,” she said. “Our goal is family reunification. We do what we need to do, then return the kids once the families have met their services.”

Barcinas then thanked their volunteers, partnering agencies, donors, members of the 23rd CNMI Legislature, fans, the teams, and community for their support in DYS’ mission to strike-out child abuse and neglect in the CNMI.

“Shoutout to teams: Karidat, Adawayyy, Glove Affairs, ChamLau, What The Heck, Dirty Harry, Ejai, Bat & Boujee, Luchan, Elusive Kulture, DeeWhyEss, Atoma, Blue Jays, and Exotic-Young Gunz. “Thank you all for helping us strike out child abuse! Because every child deserves to go home safe,” said Barcinas.