Shell shuts out Natibu in Marianas Cup finals

Centerfielder Julian Camacho blasted two homers to lead Shell Marianas to an 8-0 shutout win over Natibu in the championship match in the Pacific Trading Co.’s 6th Annual Miller Lite Marianas Cup Co-ed Slow-pitch Softball Qualifier yesterday at the Capitol Hil Ballfield.

Camacho made his first homer at the top of the fourth inning, driving home Manny Sablan and giving Shell Marianas a 3-0 lead.

Prior to Camacho’s two-run homer, Natibu’s defense shut out Shell Marianas in the second and third innings. Mel Tagabuel singled at the top of the first and brought Ben Mesa home to make it to the scoreboard.

Camacho, whose first at bat resulted in a flyout, hit his second homer—an over-the-fence one to the right side of the field—bringing Mel Sakisat and Sablan home.

Natibu never made it home, as the best it could do was reached third base on a standup triple by extra hitter Bruce Norita at the bottom of the third.

Natibu had one final chance to score and extend the game when J.R. Suel hit a standup double and advanced to third at the bottom of the seventh inning. Suel batted third, while the first two batters were thrown out.

Ned Norita, who scored a two-run homer in Natibu’s 2-12 semifinal loss to Shell Marianas, stepped up to the plate and made two foul balls to end their chances to force a deciding Game 2.

The championship was sixth in a row for the winning team, which changed its name from No Ka Oi to Shell Marianas this year.

“You never get tired of winning. Some guys left the team, but we were able to find new ones who can give us good games,” said winning pitcher Mel Sakisat.

Sakisat pitched in no relief, allowing six hits, walking one and striking out two. He went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored one run.

J.J. Laniyo hit 3-for-3, making two singles and one double.

Joining Sakisat, Camacho, Tagabuel, Sablan, Mesa, and Laniyo on the champion team were Jery Ayuyu, Toi and Roy Celis, Berta Camacho, Jun Saralu, Dave Camacho, Erica Tenorio, Mario Sablan, Nick Castro, Joey dela Cruz, and Oliver Secharmidal.

Games in the Marianas Cup were played over the weekend with eight teams vying for the championship.

The list also included K-Mobil, That’s It, Dr. Jack, PTC Traders, and T-Minko.

Shell Marianas drew a bye in the first round and beat K-Mobil in its first game, 12-4. Natibu defeated Dr. Jack in the first game, 8-3 and topped PTC in the second, 12-1, to moved into the semis.

Natibu was relegated to the losers’ bracket semifinals when it bowed to Shell Marianas in the winner’s bracket semis. But Natibu earned a rematch when it slipped past T-Minko, 11-10, in the knockout semis game.

With Shell Marianas sweeping the elimination round, it earned a twice-to-beat advantage against Natibu in the finals.

Shell Marianas outfielders were quick to chase the ball and the rest of the team stood their ground on defense, shutting out Natibu in the lone game in the championship round.

With the win, Shell Marianas earned the right to represent Saipan in the 6th Annual Miller Lite Marianas Cup Slow-pitch Softball Tournament set for Sept. 6 on Rota.