Aztecs and Hustlers win big in upsets

The fourth-seeded Aztecs upset the pennant champion Fielders with a wave of offense early on Saturday to advance to the finals of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association’s Senior League at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

The Aztecs scored a combined six runs off of three hits in the first two innings before the Fielders finally answered back in the bottom of the third with a pair to trim the lead to 6-2, but the Aztecs tallied another pair in their next at bats when first baseman Inas Joe Aldan and shortstop Patrick Togawa crossed home plate to regain the six-run advantage for the red and blue.

As a team, the Aztecs scored eight runs off of six hits as first baseman Aldan went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and three scores, while shortstop Patrick Togawa went 2-for-3 with two singles and two plate crossings.

Timely hits and good base running played a large role in the Aztecs win over the Fielders, as did the strong arm of pitcher Nicolas San Nicolas. The ‘Tec’s hurler went the distance against the Fielders allowing three runs off of five hits and walking four through seven innings on the hill.

The Aztecs took control of the game right from the start as they scored three runs off of one hit in the top of the first, but they got some help from the Fielders in the form of four walks and an error that led to all of the scores. The generosity continued in the second as the Aztecs piled on another three runs off of two hits—highlighted by catcher Smith Reyes’ two-run double that drove in Aldan and Togawa.

Hustlers 7, Ol’ Aces 4

The second of the Senior League giants fell as the Ol’Aces made an early exit from the postseason when the Hustlers dealt them an ace and a hand full of clubs to advance to the championship.

The Hustlers scored seven runs off of 10 hits to over power one of the league’s top hitting teams, but they got big performances on both sides of the plate.

Third baseman Josh Arriola went 2-for-3 with two base hits, a stolen base, and a run batted in for the Hustlers, while teammate Joe Mafnas went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a stolen base, and a run scored. On the mound, Hustler’s ace Antoine Allen picked up the complete game win and allowed four runs off of seven hits through seven innings while fanning five. Allen pitched in to help his squad’s offensive needs as well when he broke open a 3-3 tie in the top of the third.

After reaching base on an error, Allen stole second to take away the possible double play. Two hitters later, Allen crossed home plate when Sablan hit a timely single to give the Hustlers a 4-3 lead.

The Hustlers got the ball rolling early when they opened up with three runs off of four hits in the top of the first, but the pennant runner-ups answered with a pair in the bottom of the inning to stay within striking distance of the Senior League’s third seed.

The game winner came in when catcher Vince Sablan doubled in John Mafnas in the top of the fifth to give the Hustlers a 5-3 lead.

Aside from smacking the game winning run, Sablan went 2-for-4 for the Hustlers with an RBI single and an RBI double to lead his team with three runs batted in, a stolen base, and a plate crossing.
The Aztecs and the Hustlers will face each other this Sunday, June 19, at the
Tan Ko field to decide the 2005 Senior League Champion.