George, Donovan lead Junior League

Slugger Donovan George of the league-leading Pirates and hurler Dane Lisua of the Ol’Aces are currently having their way in the ongoing Junior League division of the Saipan Little League Baseball.

As of May 7, Castro has been the most consistent slugger on the diamond as he has connected for 13 hits in 19 chances for a league-best .664 average while leading the Pirates to a perfect 5-0 record. Not only does he reach base on a consistent basis, George also leads the league with five triples and is Mr. Clutch with runners on base with 11 runs batted in.

Right behind him is Nokki Lizama of the Hustlers, who sports a .600 average after going 12-for-20 in the season. Lizama’a name can be found all over the offensive stat sheet as he is also tied for the league lead in doubles with two, is third with nine RBIs, and is one of the few with a home run.

The next three hitters belong to the Ol’Aces squad as Ben Taisacan, David Camacho, and Juan Iguel all rank among the Top 5. Taisacan holds a .545 average with 12 hits in 22 at bats, while Camacho and Iguel both have identical .500 averages after both have gone 9-for-17 at the plate. Camacho also leads the league with 12 runs, while Iguel is second with 11.

Taisacan is also tied for the league lead in doubles, is tied for second in triples with three, and also has a home run.

Rounding up the Top 10 hitters are Joshua Jones of the Pirates (.500), Phillip Manalo of the Hustlers (.500), Justin Alexander of the Hustlers (.467), John Pangelinan of the Hustlers (.467), and Jonathan Salas of the Jets (.444).

Other notable hitters include Nathan Kintol of the Jets (.412), Ofero Taitano of the Pirates (.400), Anthony Aldan of the Hustlers (.381), Eric Tenorio of the Pirates (.353), and Anthony Rogolifoi of the Hustlers (.333).

Manalo also ranks third with 10 runs, is tied for second in triples, is tied for third in RBIs, and also has a home run.

For his part, Lisua (1-0) leads the league with a 1.67 earned run average after pitching 19.2 inning and giving up just three earned runs in six games.

Right behind him is Alexander (2-0) with an ERA of 1.96 as he has allowed just four earned runs in 14.1 innings, while pitching in three games. Salas (3-0) is third with a 2.86 ERA, giving up nine earned runs in 22 innings, while Anthony Tenorio (0-2) follows with a 4.63 ERA. Iguel (1-2) is next with a 5.26 ERA, while Tom Agulto rounds up the top pitchers with an ERA of (5.69).

Salas leads the strike out department after sending 29 batters back to their dugouts via strikes, while Iguel and Alexander follow with 26 and 25. Agulto has 16, Rogolifoi 14, Lisua 13, and David Camacho 12.