Rough weekend for Hustlers in rain-out replays

The UMDA Hustlers of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association’s Senior Division dropped a pair of games in back-to-back fashion Sunday, as they finally finished their contest with the Aztecs from almost two months ago at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field in Oleai.

The Hustlers got the ball rolling on their double header when they resumed their one-run game with the Aztecs that had been suspended in the bottom of the second inning on Sunday, April 3, when head umpire Robert A. Guerrero called the game due to poor lighting at the Oleai Sports Complex.

The Hustlers were unable to continue their success that they found during their 3-2 lead in April, as the Aztecs rallied to take the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning and never looked back.

Catcher Smith Reyes’ only hit came in the form of the eventual game-winning, inside-the-park two-run homerun in the top of the six that gave the Aztecs 7-4 lead. The Hustlers were able to notch another run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but could not recover.

Reyes finished the day 1-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in, but teammate Patrick Togawa had the big stick, hitting 3-for-4 with three singles, a run batted in, and a run scored.

FIELDERS 8, HUSTLERS 3

The Hustlers returned to Tan Ko field for their second game of the day against the Fielders, but suffered a similar fate by suffering at the hands of the freshly rested Fielders.

The Fielders took 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning before the Hustlers tied the game in the bottom of the second. The 1-1 tie was as close as the Hustlers would get, as the Falcons scored three runs in their next at bat and piled on insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Shortstop Cadez Tenorio went 2-for-4 for the Fielders with a pair of singles and two runs scored, while teammate Joseph Salas went 2-for-4 with two base hits, a run scored, and a run batted in.

Shane Mendiola led the charge for the Fielders with a solid 3-for-4 performance at the plate that included a pair of singles, a triple, and three runs batted in. Mendiola scored three times for the Fielders, and served time playing in centerfield, first base, and pitching.

JUNIOR LEAGUE
PIRATES 15, HUSTLERS 4

The Hustlers organization took another loss on the chin on Saturday when they resumed their game against the Pirates from April 23 that was halted due to the rains on the plains.

Unfortunately for the Hustlers, while their younger team was winning the Major Division championship on Tan Ge field, they were sunk by the Pirates, 15-4.

Slugger Alex Benevente wielded the big stick for the Pirates as utility man went 3-for-3 on the day with a pair of singles and a triple while stealing a base and crossing home plate three times. Teammate Tako Camacho had a solid game as well, as the outfielder-turned-relief pitcher went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and an RBI. First baseman Cameron Nicholas chipped in with in a quality 2-for-3 performance at the plate that yielded a single, a triple, three scores, and a run batted in.

FALCONS 7, JETS 1

The Falcons grounded the Jets at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field on Sunday on the strength of a four-run, three-hit second inning that gave them a healthy 5-0 lead for the rest of the way.

It didn’t hurt that the Falcons scored seven runs off of nine hits while holding their fellow fliers to a run off of three hits through seven innings. The win improved the Falcons’ record to 6-4 and pulled them to within a half game of the Jets at 6-3.