Falcons quickly recover, edge Comets

The Talaabwogh Falcons regrouped right away and nosed out the Comets, 5-4, in their Majors division game in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Sunday at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

A four-run bottom of the fourth inning and a go-ahead run from Matthew Tomokane saved the Falcons from absorbing back-to-back losses in the opening week of the SLLB. Last Saturday, defending champions Kagman Little Legals downed the Falcons, 7-3, in the early rematch between the 2018 season finalists.

The Comets threatened to hand the Falcons another loss, as the former took a 2-0 lead after three and a half innings. Catcher Jesus Tyquiengco blasted an RBI single and later reached off the Falcons’ error at third base at the top of the second inning to put the Comets in the driver’s seat.

However, the Comets’ stay on top was short-lived, as the Falcons grabbed the lead in the next inning, 4-2. Tomokane singled in leadoff batter Achilles Evangelista and the latter also reached off the Comets’ miscue, while Marvin Cabrera brought in Andre Iguel and scored the Falcons fourth run off another error from their opponents.

The Falcons went on to keep the lead in fifth inning, as neither team managed to score. Then at the top of the last inning, leadoff batter Greg Tebit reached off a wild pitch, while Sam Aldan’s single brought home Tyquiengco, allowing the Comets to tie the match.

After Tyquiengco’s run knotted the count, the Comets had chances to regain the upper hand with runners on second and third base. However, Andre Iguel, who relieved starting pitcher Noah Iguel, struck out Benji Manglona to end the top of the sixth inning.

Then at the bottom, Noah Iguel led off for the Falcons, but was grounded out at first, while Tomokane was hit by pitch and later moved to second after Cabrera walked. Next up to bat was Delton Lieto and a Comets’ error at first base gave Tomokane time to run home for the Falcons’ close win.

MINOR DIVISION
NSA Braves 15, Blue Jays 1
The NSA Braves had a rousing season debut after whipping the Blue Jays last Sunday.

The Braves saved the best for last after scoring eight runs at the bottom of the fourth inning.

Rosie Saralu led the Braves’ rout of the Blue Jays after scoring two runs, including a solo homer in the third inning, and going 2-for-3 at bat. Abraham Saralu, Max Taitano, Akiken Norita, and Beni Sablan also delivered two runs apiece for the Braves, while the Blue Jays’ lone run came from leadoff batter Ethan Salalila (unearned) at the bottom of the first inning.

Rosie Saralu pitched for the Braves and threw a no-hitter in three innings, walking only one and striking out seven. Alden Magofna relieved her in the fourth and the former finished off the Blue Jays, as he fanned the Blue Jays’ first two batters and then struck out the fourth one to leave Nick Sablan stranded at third.