GSM, D-9ers win season debuts

Go See Mark’s Shane Yamada throws to warm up for their game against Titanium in the 2017 Saipan Baseball League last Tuesday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Go See Mark and Saipan Stevedore D-9ers made it to the win column of the 2017 Saipan Baseball League just in their first try after downing their respective opponents at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The D-9ers edged the Natibu Sports Association Falcons, 7-5, last Wednesday night, while GSM defeated Titanium last Tuesday, 21-13, to duplicate the debut victory of opening day winner BSI Aces.

GSM was on target early, combining for 12 runs in the second and third inning to take a five-run advantage and kept its safe distance after playing steady in the last two. Jesse Brel and Ricardo Dela Cruz each hit two-RBI singles at the top of the second inning to jump-start GSM’s offense, while Shane Yamada and designated hitter Tyrone Omar also contributed two RBIs apiece in the third.

Titanium used two pitchers early in the game with Joseph Palacios starting off for the team, but getting relieved by Steven Cabrera midway in the third. Titanium then called Brian Camacho to take the mound in the fourth and the switch somehow stopped GSM’s surge as the eventual winning team was held to two runs in the next four innings.

Titanium managed to move within four after playing better defense, 9-13, however GSM countered with seven runs in the last two innings to foil the former’s hopes for a comeback. Omar got three RBIs in the last two innings and finished with five RBIs and three runs on a 2-for-6 performance at the plate. Brel went 3-for-5 and tallied four runs and three RBIs. Dela Cruz was only 1-for-4, but got four RBIs and two runs, while Yamada also gave GSM four RBIs and two runs off his 3-for-5 showing at the plate. Peter Tenorio and Diego Camacho handed GSM four and three runs, respectively.

In the D-9ers and Falcons game, Roke Tenorio, Jeremy Atalig, John Acosta, and pitcher M.J. Sakisat delivered in the homestretch to lift their former to the close win.

Clinging to a 4-3 lead after six complete innings, Roke stole home, Acosta made an RBI double, and Atalig had an RBI single at the bottom of the seventh to give the D-9ers cushion. The Falcons failed to score at the top of the seventh, but got two runs off the D-9ers’ errors in the eighth to stay in the game. After yielding two runs, Sakisat and Acosta teamed up for a 1-3 putout play for the Falcons third out in the penultimate inning. Sakisat earlier struck out leadoff batter J.J. Lifoifoi for the first out, while Franklin Lifoifoi was beaten to second for out No. 2.

The D-9ers pitcher, who worked the mound without relief, again partnered with Acosta for another 1-3 play on J.R. Suel at the start of the ninth before allowing a single to Franklin Lifoifoi and a fielder’s choice on Henry Iguel. Franklin and Iguel went on to reach third and second base, respectively, but were left stranded there as Sakisat struck out J.J. Lifoifoi and Franklin Lieto to end the game.