Maratita’s McSingle beats Twins, 8-7

After a wild pitch allowed Peter Tenorio to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, John Maratita hit a walk-off RBI single to lift McDonald’s over the Twins in one-run thriller at Tan Ge baseball field Sunday in the Saipan Little League.

Maratita played his golden arches off, as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of singles, a double, two runs batted in, and two runs scored. The hitter turned pitcher when he took the ball from starter E.J. Jones in the top of the second en route to closing out the game with four and two thirds innings in which he allowed a run off of six hits and struck out seven while foiling league leading slugger Eric Tenorio on each of his two appearances.

HUSTLERS 11, BLUE JAYS 1

The Hustlers continued their push for the pennant after their dismal finish last year by clipping the Dan Dan Blue Jays in a mercy-rule shortened affair in which they tallied 11 runs off of 12 hits in just five innings of work.

Nokkie Lizama kept his name fresh in the minds of all-star voters with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate in which the little slugger hit a pair of singles, a double, drove in three runs, and crossed home three times. Lizama also went three innings atop the hill with one run allowed and six strikeouts before Jonathan Tydingco relieved him in the top of the fourth.

KAGMAN 1-2-3 11, BOMBERS 3

The homesteaders continued their dominance over the diamond kings of wings and things as they blasted the Church’s Chicken Bombers with eight runs in the first three innings to end the game almost as soon as it started.

Second baseman Leeroy Regis provided the ammunition for the Kagman nine with a strong 3-for-4 outing in which he cranked a pair of singles, a double, the ribbies, and stole a base in the victory.

SENIOR LEAGUE

OL’ ACES 9, AZTECS 8

An 0-for-4 outing at the plate would not usually be a cause for happy memories following a day of baseball, but Jesus Iguel rejoiced as he crossed the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Ol’ Aces a victory over the Aztecs in Sunday’s contest at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

Iguel had failed to reach base safely in each of his four previous attempts with the bat, but made the most of his opportunity when he was walked in the eighth before an error allowed him to score.

FIELDERS 10, BRAVES 6

The Fielders fought off a three-run rally from the Braves in the bottom of the seventh inning to notch another win in the collective belts. Catcher Joe Salas led the Fielders foray with a ferocious 3-for-4 outing at the plate that net the hitter a pair of singles, a double, two ribbies, and a runs scored, while teammate Jordan Reyes went 2-for-4 with a pair of base knocks, two runs scored, and an RBI.

HUSTLERS 2, EAGLES 1

A defensive battle ensued when the Eagles and Hustlers took the field, but pitcher John Mafnas came out with the one-run, five-hit, and nine-strikeout win for the Hustlers in one of the closest games of the year.

Neither team gained a clear-cut advantage throughout the contest, but the Eagles took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when third baseman Matt Kintol singled home shortstop Vince Reyes.

The scoreboard stayed the same way until Martin Pangelinan and Antoine Allen crossed home plate for the Hustlers in the bottom of the third to give them the lead for good.