Ol’Aces sink Pirates in Junior League championship

The Ol’Aces exorcised their demons yesterday afternoon as they came from behind to blow the Pirates out of the water in the Saipan Little League Baseball Association’s Junior League Championship at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

Once the Ol’Aces got their offense in gear, they overwhelmed the Pirates pitchers for 12 runs off of 12 hits, but it took them a little while to figure out their foe.

“We had a slow start for the first couple of innings, but then we finally broke through. They gave us the pitcher that gave us a hard time the last time. I told the boys to just be patient. When we finally started hitting him, they changed him. These guys just don’t quit,” said Ol’Aces manager Frank Flores.

Pitcher Juan Iguel went the distance and allowed one run off of one hit and fanned three through five innings in the abbreviated affair. The only hit Iguel surrendered was a single to Nathan Castro in the top of the second, and the sole Pirates’ run came as a result of an error in the top of the first.

“They wanted this game because we lost the pennant game to them. It’s okay because we came today, and hopefully they continue that way and come back next year and try to get a piece of them,” said Ol’Aces coach Jester Garcia.

The Ol’Aces managed a pair of singles in each of the first two innings, but were trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third before they got their offense in gear by cranking out four runs off of three hits. The lead changed hands for good when first baseman Ryan Ada singled in Iguel and Leo Galarse.

Rather than rest on their laurels, the Ol’Aces returned for an eight-run fourth inning in which they tallied six hits and capitalized on four walks to take a commanding 12-1 lead.

Were the Pirates able to score two runs in their next at bat, the game would have been pushed into the sixth inning, but Iguel took care of that, forcing three consecutive grounders to second that Ben Flores relayed over to Ada to force the umpires to invoke the 10-run mercy rule

Ada finished the game with a perfect 3-for-3 off of a trio of singles that tallied three runs batted in for the champions, while second baseman Ben Taisacan went 1-for-2 with a three-run double and a sac fly to center to finish the day with four ribbies.

As for players of the game, Flores said that given the choice that he would opt for co-MVPs in Ben Taisacan and Juan Iguel.

“Juan pitched a one-hitter and the one run allowed was unearned. Taisacan hit three inside the park homeruns over the course of the season. For his size it’s unbelievable, but he’s so powerful that his hits went all the way to the fence. He almost did it again today but he slipped on his way to second. He’s really awesome, and [next year] he’s moving up to the Senior League. I hope that he gives the all-stars the power that they need when they go to the Asia-Pacific Regionals,” said Flores.