Falcons thrash White Sox to clinch pennant

After a weeklong delay due to rain last week, the 2024 Tan Holdings-Saipan Baseball League finally got underway last Monday with the Falcons clinching the pennant after a win over the White Sox, 14-3 at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

With their win, the Falcons have the best record heading into the postseason at nine wins and one loss, while the White Sox are near the bottom of the standings at 2-7.

The White Sox were no match against the No. 1 seed Falcons as their pitcher Jonathan Norita held them off from scoring for two innings. The White Sox’s Clark Boswell and Ed Manibusan found their way home in the third to put up two runs, but by then, the Falcons had already brought in 12, for a 2-12 game.

The Falcons struck first with a run by leadoff batter A.J. Evangelista in the first inning, followed by five runs in the second from miscued defensive plays by the White Sox.

In the third, they scored six runs as Antonio Norita hit his second triple of the game that both led to runs scored.

The White Sox pitching staff couldn’t hold off the Falcons and by the fourth inning, the damage was done as their offense could not produce, while the Falcons added two more runs from Henry Aguon and J.J. Lifoifoi.

In the fifth, Jerome Delos Santos scored the last run for the White Sox, which led to the eventual 3-14 final score.

In the end, Lifoifoi went for a perfect 2-2 at-bat, scored three runs, collected one RBI, and hit one double, while Norita went 2-for-3 at-bats, scored two runs, and had two RBI, along with his two triples; and Ian Norita had two hits out of three and gathered two RBIs.

In the standings behind the Falcons are the Cardinals at 7-2; Padres and Bandits are 6-2 each; Sandlot have a 6-3 record; Braves are 5-3; Blue Jays are 5-4; Royals have an even 4-4 record; Bears are 4-5; D-9er’s are 2-6; Natives haven’t won a game and lost eight; while Blue Shark also haven’t won a game with nine losses.

When all last regular season games are finished this week—or next week depending on the rain—the postseason schedule will be determined.