CNMI still winless in Easley

One off day apparently wasn’t enough for the CNMI, as the Asia-Pacific champions were beaten by Canada, 12-2, yesterday in the 2008 Big League World Series at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex in Easley, South Carolina.

Like its 10-run rule losses against the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, the hits came few and too far between for the Saipan Big League All-Stars as Canada, represented here by British Columbia, almost shut them out until the fifth inning when Juan Tenorio and Ryan Ada brought home Elton Santos and Vicente Cabrera.

The two hits, however, were the most the CNMI can muster against Cody Palleson as Canada’s ace struck out Vicente Cabrera looking and induced Jesus Iguel to fly out to shallow right that caused Tenorio to get tagged out at second base for the game’s final out.

Palleson had the CNMI batters under his spell early as he held the local Big Leaguers scoreless in the first four innings before giving up singles to Tenorio and Ada in the final inning.

While Palleson controlled the mound, Canada’s sluggers pelted CNMI ace Nicolas San Nicolas with hits a plenty from the batter’s box.

Canada erupted for five runs in the first inning, highlighted by Greg Argent’s two RBI homerun.

After a scoreless second, the red and white returned with the vengeance in the third when Palleson, this time, did his damage from the plate, bringing home two batters on a double off reliever Giovanni Ayuyu. The two runs, along with another RBI by Derek Li, gave Canada an 8-0 advantage.

The Canucks were far from done though as Russell Allsup drove in Miller Morache and Argent again hit a homerun that also drove in Allsup to make it 11-0. Bryan Hales then crossed home plate on a Palleson single to peg the count at 12-0.

With a third straight mercy rule-shortened game starring at them, the CNMI tried to score at least three runs in the top of the fifth, but came a run short when they failed to follow up on RBIs by Tenorio and Ada.

Palleson led Canada with a 4-for-4 performance that also included two RBIs. He was also menacing from the mound, pitching in no relief while compiling six strikeouts, while giving up only two runs on three hits and walking two.

San Nicolas and Ayuyu, meanwhile, combined for 12 runs on 15 hits, while compiling 10 errors and two walks. They also accounted for three strikeouts.

Tenorio and Nunu Kapileo both went 1-for-2 to lead the CNMI in the loss, while the former had an RBI. Ada also had one run batted in while also going 1-for-1 from the plate.

The CNMI closes its 2008 World Series assignment against Germany today.