CNMI does it again in 7-6 win over Indonesia

The CNMI Little League All-Stars did it again yesterday as they came from behind to down Indonesia 7-6. The win improved their record to 2-1 in the opening round of the Asia/Pacific Baseball Tournament and will now advance to the finals tomorrow at the Paseo Stadium in Guam.

Pitcher Anthony Tenorio got off to a rough start, allowing six runs off of five hits in the first two innings and was relieved by Philip Manalo. Trailing 6-3 going into the third, the CNMI rallied to score a run and followed up with three more runs in the fourth to take the lead. Manalo didn’t permit the squad from Jakarta to score again, fanning four and allowing just two hits over four innings.

At the plate, Manalo helped his cause as he went 1-for-2 and made it home twice. Shortstop Ofero Taitano was on top of his game too, as he went 3-for-4, batted in a pair of runs and crossed the plate three times. Tony Rogolifoi Jr. chipped in a 2-for-3 performance with the bat and knocked a couple of runners home in the victory.

The CNMI finished the opening round with a record of 2-1. With the only game remaining in the opening round between 2-0 Guam and 1-1 Indonesia, pending the outcome, just about anything can happen.

If Indonesia wins, there will be a three-way tie for first place. The basis for the tiebreaker will be the fewest points allowed. Currently the CNMI has allowed 10 runs, Guam has allowed four, and Indonesia has allowed 12.

If Guam wins, they are automatically in the finals with a record of 3-0. Indonesia will need a victory to get in, but they will also have to beat Guam by at least eight to do it.

Either way, the CNMI is in the final and waiting for the championship game at 1pm tomorrow.

After having lost to Guam in a heart-breaking 2-0 game in their debut, the boys from the CNMI were able to bounce back and pick up consecutive wins against the Philippines and Indonesia to put them in a position to make the finals.

Today at 11am, a much-improved team from Indonesia will be facing Guam. Indonesia was scheduled to face off against Guam on Sunday, July 25, but the game was postponed due to foul weather.

The rest of the players making up the CNMI Little League All-Stars are Alex Benavente, Keith Kintol, Eli Augenbaugh, Cameron Ser Nicolas, Eric Tenorio, David Camacho, Donovan George, Justin Alexander, Ike Aldan, and R-Jay Joe.