Twins stroll past Matrix, 14-11

Just like Maverick told Ice Man in Top Gun, the As Matuis Twins picked up their fourth win of the season by shelling the Matrix for 14 runs with just a Kazansky-like walk in the park—15 of them to be exact—in the continuation of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association Sunday at Tan Ge Field.

By the time the scoring frenzy came to a close at the Oleai Sports Complex, the Twins tallied just four hits—three of which came during a six-run third inning that included a inside-the-park grand slam by shortstopper “Big” Ben Lizama.

Lizama’s timely hit was his only connection of the game but it was a doozie that gave the Twins the lead for the rest of the game—one that featured a glaring lack of defense.

The T-men needed three pitchers to get the job done as J.J. Geter, Steve Limes, and Zachary Aldan allowed a combined 11 runs off of seven hits and fanned eight, but Aldan was the only one who failed to yield a score or hit. He also added half of his team’s hit total with a pair of singles.

The Matrix opened up the game with a four-run first inning but the Twins answered with four in their next at bats to tie the game. The scoring continued in the top of the second when the green and yellow fellows fired off five runs to take a 9-4 advantage, but the Twins pulled to within three after scoring twice in the bottom of the inning.

Everything changed in the bottom of the third as the Twin scored six runs off of three hits to surge ahead with a 12-9 lead, and they managed to maintain control despite posting only one more hit through the rest of the game.

HUSTLERS 10, PIRATES2

After opening the game with a scoreless first inning, the Hustlers scored in each of their next five at bats to sink the Pirates, 10-2, thanks to a line-up that wouldn’t quit at the plate.

Right fielder “Everybody Loves” Raymond Saralu went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and a run batted in, while infielder Anthony Manalo smacked a single and an RBI double to equal Saralu’s 2-for-2 mark. Third baseman A.J. Lizama went 1-for-3, but the slugger’s lone shot was a two-run double.

The pitchers had a heck of a game as Daylinne Joseph and McGarrete Dueñas each surrendered a run and allowed a combined six hits through six innings on the hill.

The win kept the Hustlers in third place at 6-2 behind the undefeated Patriots (10-0) and Kagman 1-2-3 (8-2).

KAGMAN 1-2-3 12, OL’ACES 6

Though their game was officially called due to rain to start the morning’s triple header, the kids from Kagman 1-2-3 and the Ol’ Aces played a rare late afternoon contest at Tan Ge Field, while the Ford Rangers locked horns with the Bud Kings next door at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

The Ol’Aces were well on their way toward earning their second win of the season, but they squandered their 5-1 lead when the homesteaders pounded out six runs in the top of the third and added another five tallies in the top of the fifth.

Despite getting off to a rocky start, pitcher Ignacio Benavente went the distance for Kagman and allowed eight hits while fanning seven. It didn’t hurt that his teammates finally cranked up the offense, but that was never a problem for second baseman “Benjamin” Franklin Agulto who went 3-for-3 belted out a pair of singles, a double, and drove in two runs. Catcher Richard Dela Cruz smacked a solo homerun and clocked an RBI double to go 2-for-3, while Marsnjo Wabol did the same with a two-run single and a triple.

SENIOR LEAGUE

KAGMAN AZTECS 9, OL’ ACES 6

The older kids from Kagman also had a happy drive home to the far side of the island as the Aztecs rode their early lead all the way through the game to beat the Ol’Aces.

Nicholas San Nicolas racked up a complete-game win for the ‘Tecs after allowing six runs off of six hits and fanning a half-dozen though seven innings on the hill, but the pitcher wasn’t a one trick pony, as NSN went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI single.

Darren Pua didn’t let San Nicolas have all of the fun as the centerfielder went 3-for-4 with a pair of singles, a triple, and a pair of ribbies, while Olkeriel Techur went 2-for-4 with a pair of base knocks.