Hustlers, Pirates win again

It was business as usual in the Saipan Major League yesterday as the Pirates and Hustlers scored convincing victories over Tanapag and the D-9ers respectively at the Kan Pacific Baseball Field in Marpi in the continuation of the Fall League.

The Hustlers continued their domination of the D-9ers by piling up 12 runs off of 17 hits, but they actually had to rally from a deficit after surrendering three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

The D-9ers actually helped the Hustlers win on Saipan’s northernmost ball field as they walked four batters and plunked one during the game—all of whom eventually scored.

First baseman Jonathan Villagomez had the hot stick for the Hustlers as he went 4-for-5 with a pair of singles, doubles, and five runs batted in while left fielder James Villagomez went a perfect 3-for-3 with a single, a triple, and an inside the park homerun.

The Hustlers also got a big day from all-around infielder J.R. Suel who went 3-for-5 with a trio of base knocks and scored twice. The league’s top team needed everything from their big hitters as they were in a bind early when they fell behind 3-2 after the first inning.

They regained the lead in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs and continued to at least a run in the next four consecutive innings en route to a 12-5 victory.

The Pirates also capitalized on their opponent’s miscues as they converted one walk and four hit batsmen into runs during their 12-2 blowout of Tanapag, but they did plenty of work at the plate as well by racking up 14 hits in the mercy-rule shortened affair.

After neither team managed to score a run in the first inning, the Pirates exploded in the top of the second with 10 runs off of eight hits. They also turned a pair of bean balls and a walk into three tallies to make for another sad day in Tanapag.

J.P. Sablan was the most frequent offensive offender for the Pirates as he went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles, a single, and two runs batted in, while right fielder Jonathan Villagomez went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, an RBI, and a stolen base.

As a whole, the Pirates gave up only two runs off of four hits, and they look to continue their string of success this weekend when they return to Marpi on the first Sunday of December.