North Starz ends 2-game skid

The North Starz pounced on an error-prone Jets side in completing a 10-4 win in a make-up game in the 2015 Saipan Baseball League last Tuesday at the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

North Starz third baseman Chad Atalig waits for the relay throw, while Jets designated hitter Henry Reyes runs toward third during their game in the 2015 Saipan Baseball League last Tuesday night at the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball field. Reyes was safe at third in the play. (Jon Perez)

The match was originally scheduled last Monday, but the field was unplayable because of rain. Last week’s rained-out games between the Yankees and the Jets, and the Falcons and Brewers will be rescheduled on a later date.

It was the North Starz’s first win in three games while the Jets, who committed seven errors, dropped to 0-2. Defending champion GSM Brewers, the Saipan Stevedore Yankees, and the Falcons are tied for the early lead with similar 1-0 slates, while the IP&E Fielders hold a 1-1 card.

The Jets committed three errors at the bottom of the first and had another three in the fourth where the Starz zoomed to a 7-0 lead.

Ian Lizama walked to lead things off for the Starz, reached third on an error by Jets pitcher Mike Muna, and stole home. Ricardo Dela Cruz and E.J. Tenorio also scored for the North Starz at the bottom of the first.

Dela Cruz was safe on first after a throwing error by Jets third baseman Thomas Sablan, moved to second after Tenorio was hit by pitch, and scooted home on a Chad Atalig RBI single.

Dela Cruz went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and a triple and two RBIs. His RBI triple in the second scored Ton Castro and an RBI double to deep right field in the sixth had Lizama crossing home plate.

The North Starz center fielder made his second run also in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Tenorio to make it 10-3.

The North Starz, despite failing to score after the sixth, held their own on defense against the Jets in the last two innings.

Castro, before being replaced by Jon Tenorio, earned the win, limiting the Jets to one run on three hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Tenorio pitched four complete innings and gave up three runs on four hits, fanning two with no walks.

Muna was tagged with the loss with six hits on one earned run, but struck out six and walked one. Terson Eina pitched two shutout innings in relief with no hits and had three strikeouts.

Davie Matagolai went 2-for-5 with one run, while Shine Tenorio batted 2-for-4 for the Jets.

Meanwhile, SBL action continued last night with the Falcons and the Fielders still playing at press time. Tomorrow, the Brewers battle the Yankees at 7pm.

In related news, SBL coordinator Tony Rogolifoi renewed his call to private companies for assistance in fixing the lights of the scoreboard at the Palacios ballfield. For more information, call Rogolifoi at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium at 234-6672.