Scary win for Rock Steady in SML opener

Rock Steady pulled off a scary 6-5 victory over archrival Ford Rangers in the opener of the 2009 Saipan Major League Friday at the rain-drenched Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The defending champion played aggressively early on, then halted the Ford Rangers’ rally midway to clinch its first win in a close game that gave fans a glimpse on what to expect this season.

“We worked hard. The Rangers also played well. We are a bunch of players who like to concentrate in the field during a close game like this,” said Rock Steady team manager Melvin Tenorio.

Oliver Secharmidal gave Rock Steady its first run of the year on a triple by Toi Celis at the bottom of the first inning. Rock Steady drew two more runs from new recruit Kyle Kaipat and veteran Ed Manibusan for a 3-0 lead.

The Rangers made two runs courtesy of Clifton Sillil and David Camacho at the top of fourth to remain afloat, 2-3.

Celis, Manny Sablan, and Byron Kaipat scored anew for Rock Steady at the bottom fifth for a 6-2 lead on the way to a win.

Despite the loss, the Ford Rangers showed some semblance of a team that had always been a force to reckon with in the league.

The intermittent rains slowed down Rock Steady’s game, as the downpour halted the game in two occasions with the last time at the bottom fifth.

When play resumed, the Rangers found their targets with David Camacho sparking a three-run explosion. Kelvin Kapileo and Pete Tomokane also dashed to home plate, supported by an RBI single by Hector Efraim, as the team moved to within a striking distance, 5-6.

But that was all the Rangers could muster, as Rock Steady’s winning pitcher Nick San Nicolas regained his confidence, allowed only one of the next 13 batters to reach first base, and struck out four.

San Nicolas had a total of eight strikeouts and Rock Steady protected the lead in the next three and a half innings.

Rock Steady kept most of its players from last year’s roster.

The returnees included Mike Sablan (head coach), Toi Celis, Joey Dela Cruz, Derron Flores, Manny Sablan, Brian Kaipat, Ed Manibusan, Oliver Secharmidal, Martin Pangelinan, Elie Lizama, Ben Leon Guerrero, Ray Celis, John Mafnas, Nick San Nicolas, Shane Mendiola, and Vince Sablan.

Its new players are John Paul Lizama, Alvin Takai, Giovanni Ayuyu, Kyle Kaipat, and John Reyes.

Rock Steady lost one of its key players, centerfielder Tyrone Omar, to another team this year. The reigning MVP Omar is now with the Young Guns, who are composed mostly of rookies or new graduates from the Big League.

Despite losing their debut, Rangers team manager Craig Tenorio expressed optimism about their chances this year. The Rangers were in the finals four times in the last five years. They had already won the title twice, in 2003 and 2005, were runners-up in 2004, 2006, and 2008, and third in 2007.

The Rangers are composed of essentially the same players from last year’s lineup, and acquired the services of six newcomers.

The veterans included Dung Tenorio, Shine Tenorio, Craig Sanchez (player-asst. coach), Ben Tagabuel, Vinnie Sablan, JP Sablan, Mario Sablan, Peter Sablan, Peter Tomokane, Kelvin Kapileo, Clifton Silil, J.J. Laniyo, Franco Flores, Jess Iguel, Ben Taisacan, JP Flores, and John Flores (head coach)

The new recruits are Gary Cruz, Shane Yamada, Rey Celis, Mark Toves, David Camacho, and Hector Efraim.