CNMI Senior All-Stars outlast Guam

Darion Jones, seen here pitching for the Saipan Senior All-Stars during their game against Tinian in the district meet at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield, made the game-winning hit in the CNMI’s 5-4 win over Guam in the World Series qualifier yesterday at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Lefty Darion Jones made the game-winning hit, blasting a single to the far right field at the bottom of the 11th inning with the bases loaded and no outs. His single drove leadoff batter Jessie Brel home. Brel also nailed a single to the right field earlier and advanced to second off Virolanson Secharmidal’s bunt. Secharmidal strategically went for the bunt with the ball rolling in between the home and first base and the Guam catcher struggling to field it, allowing the former enough time to run safely to first, while moving Brel to second.

Next up at bat was starting pitcher Nate Camacho, who walked to first and brought Brel to third. With the bases loaded, Guam sued for time and huddled on the hound. However, the lull failed to break the CNMI’s momentum, as after letting go off a low ball, Jones hit his target with the ball dropping to the far end of the right field way past Guam’s defense.

With the close win, the CNMI is still unbeaten in three games. It crushed Indonesia in the opener last Sunday at the Clark Freeport Zone in Zambales, 15-3, before downing the Philippines last Monday, 4-1. The Patrick Tenorio-managed and Anthony Deleon Guerrero-coached team tries to extend its win streak today against India and another win will assure the team a finals berth in the six-team field and move the team closer to a World Series stint.

The CNMI Senior All-Stars had to go through four extra innings to nip Guam after the former bungled a 3-0 lead in the first three innings of the match. Guam even grabbed the driver’s seat in the sixth inning 4-3, before the CNMI forced the second deadlock at the bottom off the seventh inning. Secharmidal scored the equalizer, as he reached home off an error by the Guam pitcher. The bases were loaded with only one out and a CNMI batter was waiting for the pitch when the Guam pitcher dropped the ball, which rolled out of the mound. The umpires halted play and huddled before awarding the run to the CNMI. The Commonwealth bets were then called for the next two outs, extending the match that was played for almost four hours.

In the four extra innings, Guam had two opportunities to take the lead, but the CNMI defense hung in there to foil its foe’s bid. Guam had runners on third and second at the top of the ninth with two outs, but A.J. Evangelista struck out the fifth batter to leave the two runners stranded. Then at the top of the 11th inning, Guam’s leadoff batter reached third off a single, wild pitch, and wild throw with two outs, but the CNMI’s shortstop caught a line drive to keep the deadlock, which Jones eventually broke at the bottom of the last inning.

Meanwhile, the CNMI entered the win column in the Little League and Big League. The CNMI Big League All-Stars, who lost to Chinese-Taipei in the opener, 0-9, bounced back with a 5-4 triumph over the Philippines last Monday before bowing to Guam, 1-11, yesterday.

In the Little League, the CNMI cruised past Vietnam last Monday, 13-1, for a 1-2 slate. The Commonwealth players fell to Saudi Arabia in the opener, 4-9, and also lost to Dubai yesterday, 0-7. In the Junior League, the CNMI holds an even 1-1 record after a 7-11 defeat at the hands of Guam last Monday. The CNMI Junior All-Stars earlier notched an 8-5 victory over Vietnam on opening day.