TMS walks it off to boys softball crown

Benigno Sablan walked it off in style in the last inning to win the championship for Tanapag Middle School Tatagas in the Inaugural SBL-PSS Interscholastic Boys Middle School Slow Pitch Softball League 2023-2024 last Saturday at the Capital Hill Softball Field.

Tied at 4-4 with Hopwood Middle School Hilitais heading into the last inning, the bases were set up perfectly for Sablan with two runners on base. Then, with one swing of the bat, he hit the walk-off RBI single that brought home Rex Jose, much to the excitement of the Tatagas, but to the disappointment of the Hilitais.

TMS drew first blood in the second inning from a run by Justin Garde after an RBI-base hit by Sablan. HMS then had a brief upperhand in the fourth inning from two runs by Jequinn Lizama and Jesse Santos to make it 2-1.

The third inning was an easy 1-2-3 for HMS pitcher Jesus Santos, and their offense kicked up again with a run in the fifth inning for a two run, 3-1 lead.

It was still anyone’s game and the Tatagas didn’t let up as they took back the lead by one run from three consecutive runs. Tatagas’ Carl Hocog started the onslaught by a leadoff single, then was brought home by Aiken Norita, who then rounded home from Sablan’s single. Sablan then scored the third run, for a 4-3 lead.

HMS tied it up quickly, 4-4, after a steal of home plate as K.J. Schardt caught TMS’ pitcher Leon Neth sleeping. In the next inning, TMS tried to stack up more runs but couldn’t and the game was still at a deadlock.

The last inning saw wasted opportunities from HMS as they went down in order once again—and with TMS as the home team, they had the final at-bat that allowed them to walk it off.

Tatagas coach Neil Camacho was clearly excited and happy that their school won the first championship. He said in an interview after the game, “It’s amazing. This is the first ever experience for me and Mr. Adam [Salalila] and Tanapag Middle School, and it’s been an honor. It’s been an experience. There’s a lot of adrenaline rush and we’re super happy and proud of the boys. We can’t be any happier with all the effort they put out there on the field and the sportsmanship they showed.

Co-coach Salalila, for his part, said that this inaugural league is “great for the community students, for everybody to come out and watch and support. Also, for the students to learn this sport. They can take it all the way and with all the stuff they learned on the field, for sure they’ll bring it up to the next step in high school.”

The coaches thanked Kyle Hocog from the Saipan Baseball League and his team at Next Level Media, the students, their families, and parents.

Sablan, the star of the game, was interviewed as well. He said it felt good to hit the walk off run and said in his mind during the at-bat, he would either hit the ball or strike out. But, he said, “I had confidence, hit the ball, and got the win.”

As for the season, he said it was a good one as his team went through hardships, played with good teamwork, and communicated well to get to the championship.

The freshman-to-be next school year then gave a shout out to his team, his dad E.J., and his family.

TMS included Sablan, Jose, Hocog, Ayden Magofna, Sinahi Santos, Aiken Norita, Maximus Tomokane, Avenbert Kaipat, Justin Garde, Leon Neth, Mark Rogopes, Lexy Santos, Ziah Sablan, Abraham Falig, Debron Saures, Dyson Danis, and William Flores.

Rota’s Sinapalo Elementary School Bucks settled for third place after they lost to HMS, 6-7. The Public School System Boys Middle School Volleyball League 2023-2024 was held with help from the Saipan Baseball League.