Leaders look to improve this weekend

The Saipan Little League Baseball Association is in full swing, and no matter what level of competition they play, some teams have yet to find their power stroke while others are swinging for the fences.

The Patriots are at the top of the standings in the Major League with an unblemished 9-0 record, and with three of the top sluggers and premier pitcher Joseph Palacios, they show no signs of slowing down.

If they do, Kagman 1-2-3 and the defending champion Hustlers are ready to step right in. With identical 6-2 records, the homesteaders and the Hustlers are locked in a second place tie, but league leading slugger Anthony Manalo and his .762 batting average may be able to put the Hustlers over the top.

The Junior League is shaking out a very similar scenario as the undefeated Pirates enjoy the first place penthouse suite at 5-0 with Donovan George leading the way at the plate with a .684 batting average and three others among the elite.

If they fail to continue to push for the pennant their ride may be short lived as Jets and the Hustlers are close behind in second place with matching 3-1 marks on the season. While both teams look strong, the Hustlers have all sorts of firepower from both sides of the plate.

Anthony Aldan, Nokki Lizama, John Pangelinan, Phillip Manalo, and Tony Rogolifoi Jr. are among the best with the swat stick, and Justin Alexander has been banging out batters like it’s going out of style with 19 strikeouts and a miniscule 1.24 earned run average.

None of the Senior League teams have more than five games in the book, but the Ol’Aces hold a slight advantage with a 3-1 record—and they have four reasons why. Nunu Kapileo, William Fleming, Shane Yamada, and Jesus Iguel combine to make the league’s best foursome, but they better not stop slugging until they have a standout pitcher.

Marley Techur would be a great fit for their defense, but the Falcons landed the ace before the season and are a half-game back in second place at 3-2. After getting his socks rocked a couple weeks ago, Techur returned to the mound to fan 16 last week for his second win of the season.

At 2-1, the Hustlers also believe they have a shot at the pennant, and their overall team play could get them there, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt for someone in the dugout to stand up and stand out.

It’s anybody’s race in the Big League, as the Pirates (3-1), Northern Angels (3-1), Fielders (2-2), and Ol’Aces (2-2) are all within a game of each other with plenty of action left in the tank.

The only question remaining are whether Cadez Tenorio (.688) can hold on to win the batting title, if Brandon Santos can continue to blank batters and maintain his 1.81 earned run average, and whether or not the 0-4 Braves will win a game this season.