Germany beats CNMI, 12-2

The CNMI wrapped up its 2008 Big League World Series stint with a 12-2 loss against Germany yesterday at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex in Easley, South Carolina.

It was the fourth setback in as many games for the Asia-Pacific champions, which lost all its matches via the 10-run mercy rule.

One bright spot in the CNMI’s forgettable showing in the 2008 Big League World Series, however, was Ben Leon Guerrero’s solo homerun in the fourth against Germany, which trimmed the Europe, Middle East, and Africa champion’s lead to 12-1.

Like in its previous game against Canada, the local Big Leaguers needed an offensive spark in the top of the fifth to avoid yet another shortened game.

The CNMI was halfway there when Leon Guerrero singled and drove in Jesus Iguel, but that was all she wrote for the game and the World Series for the boys in blue as Nicolas San Nicolas grounded out to second to end the game.

Germany vented its frustration in the CNMI after the EMEA champions lost to International Pool heavyweights Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic its previous two outings.

After a scoreless first, Germany exploded for seven runs in the second inning, highlighted by Sascha Brockemeyer’s and Johannes Jung’s two RBIs.

The Europeans would tuck in three more runs in the third inning to make the score 10-0, as Julius Ueescher scored on a wild pitch and Markus Stryczele doubled down the right field line that brought in two more runners.

After Leon Guerrero homered off Dominik Dunford, Germany retaliated by scoring two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Christian Schuler singled off Elton Santos and scored Jung and Lennart Weller.

The CNMI started the fifth on a right foot when Nunu Kapileo reached first base on an error but it was negated moments later when Giovanni Ayuyu, pinch running for Kapileo, was picked off trying to steal second.

Dunford would later walk Iguel, but came back by striking out Lawrence Dikito for the second out. Leon Guerrero then made the aforementioned RBI single, but the CNMI failed to get more from its hitters when San Nicolas grounded out to Jung.

Germany was led by Stryczele who went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs, while Weller, Jung, and Schuler each had two hits.

Dunford and starter Robin Drache combined on a four-hitter for Germany, which improved its win-loss record to 1-2.

Starter Vicente Camacho and Santos combined to give up 12 runs on 10 hits for the CNMI. They also walked nine batters and were assessed 12 errors while striking out three.

Other results yesterday had Louisiana beat New Jersey, 8-4, and California nip SC District 1, 3-2.