History for fast-pitch softball team with bronze medal win

The NMI National Fast-Pitch Softball Team’s debut in the 10th Micronesian Games was a historic one as they won the first ever medal for the NMI in the sport after their bronze medal matchup against Pohnpei, 8-9, last Friday at the Majuro Track and Field.

The young, up-and-coming NMI softball players silenced their doubters after they fought for their guaranteed bronze medal after eliminating a veteran Palau team, 15-14, last Thursday. They then played their hearts out again versus Pohnpei to almost make it to the gold medal round against host Republic of Marshall Islands.

The game against Pohnpei saw a hungry and feisty NMI team that was willing to fight until the very end to prove themselves even more. It was actually way past the end as they brought the game into an extra eighth inning with a tie game of 6-6.

As NMI was the visiting team, they hit at the top of the inning for a chance to score some runs first and break the tie.

Then, with a ghost-runner on second base, two-sport athlete Destiny Pangelinan stepped up to the plate. With one swing of the bat, the ball found a gap deep into right-center field which brought home the seventh run. She sprinted all the way home for the eighth run, 8-6, on an inside-the-park homer.

Pohnpei had the last chance at the bottom of the inning as the home team and tried to fight off NMI pitcher Alannah Sablan—who also tried to hold them down. The fighting Pohnpeians came out hot and put pressure on the pitcher and the defense as the young team made multiple errors. The first run came in, then the tying run, and then ultimately, the winning run as NMI catcher Rosie Saralu threw a pick off to second base while the runner at third tagged up to score home.

It wasn’t heartbreak overall as the NMI team capped their run with the bronze medal after their only win of the tournament against Palau.

With Pangelinan, Sablan, and Saralu on the team were Maiyah Duenas, Kiara Borja, Angel Deleon Guerrero, Ashlie Aguon, Christy Aldan, Kianu Aldan, Jaylina Borja, Jhaneeka Atalig, Keolani Rios, Kiana Camacho, Rayna Deleon Guerrero, Jenisha Dubrall, and Britney Gopez. They were coached by Manny Sablan, Mark Flores, Mario Aguon, and Derron Flores.

Assistant coach Mark Flores said of the team’s bronze medal win, “it really wasn’t what we were expecting. But after we got that, we kind of wanted it more. The girls played as hard as they could. They’re very new and I’m very proud of them because of all the work they did with all the guidance from their coaches.”

As the newest coach on the team, he said, “I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to come out and help out the training of the girls. We hope we made you guys proud. We hope you enjoyed the games the girls put up for you guys, but this is the start of fast-pitch softball. We’re excited to bring the girls back and try something fresh for the islands, so keep an eye out.”

The tournament overall, Flores said, “was really good. It was my first one so I didn’t know what to expect. To be honest, I expected just a little less, but I’m so impressed with what happened over here and I’m very thankful to the hospitality the people of RMI have shown us. Thank you.”

Head coach Manny Sablan, who got an ice bath from the players after their win against Palau, said, “they did all the hard work. I guess all the games that they played, they learned from it so they got to adjust. I lost my voice but hey, they played a heck of a game. Good job to the pitchers! Hats off to the ladies, they did everything.”

Co-captain Rios said of their bronze, “We could’ve done better, but we worked hard to get this far. At least we’re going home with something.”

Team captain Aldan then chimed in and said, “No one was expecting us to get a medal but we worked our [butts] off to get this medal and represent the CNMI. I’m so grateful to my team and my coaches and managers because they really pushed us.” She added that she’s proud of their youngest player, Rosie Saralu, who hit three inside-the-park home runs over the course of their tournament.

Kiana “Baby K” Camacho, for her part, said, “We want to thank the supporters back home and all the supporters here as well. We want to thank all our coaches and teammates for picking our heads up. As long as we bring something home, that’s all that matters—doesn’t matter what place—we made history!”