Fastpitch Softball: Looking beyond Micro Games
The NMI Women’s National Fastpitch Softball Team is looking forward to seeing action in the 2024 Micronesian Games as well as what’s after following the completion of the competition in the Marshall Islands.
The excitement buildup for next month’s Micro Games is evident, as it will be the NMI’s first to field a women’s fastpitch softball team in the regional event since 2006 when Saipan hosted the meet.
“Since this is our first since 2006, the girls are both excited and nervous. Excited because last year, they had no idea they will go to Marshalls and represent the NMI. Nervous and pressured because it will be their first time to compete outside our local leagues and they will go up against players that are way more experienced than them,” team manager Manny Sablan said.
Sablan also said that while they are definitely going all out to win a medal in the Micro Games, the team’s participation in next month’s competition means more than the hardware.
“We’re hoping that with us having a women’s fastpitch softball team in the Micro Games, this would revive the sport in the NMI and encourage more women to play fastpitch. We have many talents out there, especially the youth, just waiting to be tapped and looking for venues to showcase their talents. We need to get these women/girls out to compete in local leagues and interscholastic level,” the team manager said.
In this year’s Micronesian Games that will run from June 15 to 24, the NMI Women’s National Fastpitch Softball Team will be battling Palau, Pohnpei, and host Marshall Islands. The team is made up of Ashlie Aguon, Christy Aldan, Jaylina Borja, Kiara Borja, Angel Deleon Guerrero, Rayna Deleon Guerrero, Jenisha Dubrall, Mayiah Duenas, Britney Gopez, Destiny Pangelinan, Alannah Sablan, Rosie Saralu, Kiana Aldan, Jhaneeka Atalig, Kiana Camacho, and Keolani Rios. Also on the team are coaches Derron Flores, Mariano Aguon, and Mark Flores.
“We have seen significant improvements from the girls since we started training in February. Their hitting and field have improved a lot. The most challenging part would be the pitching and we are working hard almost every day to address that area. Most of our pitchers are used to slow-pitch so the coaches are doing their best to help them make the big adjustment,” Sablan said.
When asked which team will be their toughest opponent, the manager named all three, saying that Pohnpei, Marshalls Islands, and Palau are expected to bring in veteran players, while he called the NMI players rookies. Sablan, however, said that what they are lacking in experience, they will make up for it with a big heart and persistence both on offense and defense.
“It’s hustle day in and day out, sticking to the basics of the game, which is fielding and hitting, and working on our team defense,” the NMI Sports Hall of Famer said.
The NMI Women’s Fastpitch Softball Team is part of the 114-member delegation of Team Marianas, which is supported by the following sponsors: Mariana Express Lines Pte. Ltd, Skechers, Joeten Daidai Foundation, Triple J Motors, E-Land Group, D&Q, TakeCare Insurance, Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, IT&E, Bank of Guam, Black Construction Corp., Dial-Rent-To-Own, RNV Construction, GPPC/Apex Builders, Matson, Chinese Association of Saipan, Y.K. Corp., LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, P&A Corp., Jose & Ruri Ayuyu Foundation, and Zoom Café. (PR)
Micro Games pix
