CNMI Senior All-Stars secure finals seat

Members of the CNMI Senior All-Stars huddle during their game against Indonesia in the opener of the World Series qualifier last Sunday in the Philippines. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI Senior All-Stars won their fourth game in as many matches to remain on top of the six-team field and are assured of the spot to Saturday’s finale regardless of the results of their last elimination round game against New Zealand (1-2) today. Guam (3-1) is likely to join the CNMI in the title match that will award a World Series ticket to the champion, as the former won over the Philippines yesterday, 4-3, and is favored to prevail in its last game against Indonesia (1-2).

After laboring a 5-4, 11-inning win versus Guam last Tuesday, the Commonwealth this time cruised past the hapless Indian squad after only one complete inning. The CNMI’s top of the order batted twice at the top of the first inning with seven of its nine batters in their first at-bat reaching home plate.

The Patrick Tenorio-managed team racked up five more runs at the turn and could have added two more with runners on second and third had the last batter made it safely to first. The last batter at the top of the order made a bunt with the ball rolling past home plate and the India pitcher picking it up and throwing to first base.

With the CNMI scoring one run after another right at the top of the first inning, India used three different pitchers to neutralize the Commonwealth hitters. While the CNMI were on target in the first inning and its batters stepped up to the plate two times at the top of the first, India was done after only three batters at the bottom. India’s leadoff batter went out on a 6-3 putout play, the second was struck out, and the third returned to the dugout off a 4-3 play.

Organizers then called it a game, awarding the CNMI a victory via mercy rule after only about 30 minutes of play. Saipan Little League Baseball president Tony Rogolifoi said that although standard rules allow a 10-run mercy rule by the end of the third inning in the Little League and fifth in the three other divisions, local organizers can set different rules.

Upset in Little League
Meanwhile, the CNMI Little League All-Stars are still in contention for a playoff berth in the division.

The CNMI improved to a 2-2 slate in the Little League category after stunning the then undefeated Hong Kong, 6-3. The CNMI is tied with Saudi Arabia and Dubai in third place, while Hong Kong remains on top with its 3-1 card, followed by Chinese-Taipei (2-1). The Top 2 teams in Pool A will advance to the semifinals and the CNMI could boost its playoff chances if it wins over Chinese-Taipei today.

In other results, the CNMI dropped its third game in the Big League division after bowing to Chinese-Taipei, 1-11. In the Junior League, the Commonwealth was hoping to gain its second win in three games and bounce back from a loss to Guam against the host Philippines yesterday.