Jets nab last playoff spot in Juniors

The Saipan Shipping Company Jets advanced to the playoffs of the Junior Division after leveling its win-loss record to 6-6 following an 8-6 victory over Natibu Sports Association-Talaabwogh Falcons (7-5) last Sunday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The Jets received some help from second place Bank of Saipan Red Sox (9-3) who triumphed over the DPS-Dare Program-Leep-Enforcers (5-7), 9-8, on Sunday, while Paradise Island Animal Hospital-Hustlers’ (8-4) pitcher Brian Camacho dealt a two-hit shutout to the St. Michael’s Medical Response-Hunters (2-10), 9-0, in the Big Division night feature.

In other results, the Junior Division’s IT&E-Fielders (5-7) finished off its season with a 13-7 victory over the DYS-Rep. Ramon S. Basa-Frederick P. DL Guerrero-Kagman Lions (0-12) in Saturday’s early pairing, after which heavy rainfall caused an abrupt end to the day.

Senior Division’s Natibu-Talaabwogh Falcons (8-3) led the top-ranked Docomo Pacific-Ol’Aces (11-0), 1-0, after one inning before rain spoiled the field.

In addition, the Senior Division’s Marianas Cable Vision-Rep. Ramon S. Basa-Frederick P. DL Guerrero-Kagman Lions (4-8) outran the Rep. Antonio Sablan-Eliceo D. Cabrera-Hunters (6-6), 7-2, last Thursday.

Jets 8, Falcons 6[/B]

The Jets clung to a 3-2 lead after a lively third inning with three runs off four hits. Devyn Flores and K.J. Deleon Guerrero bagged RBI singles.

The Falcons bit back and tied it briefly in the fourth off errors, but the Jets roared in front with four runs off a two-RBI double by Deleon Guerrero and a base rip by Jason Villagomez. Franco Nakamura drew a walk and later stole home in the mix.

They added a run in the top of the seventh and contained the Falcons to three runs in the final stand.

Winning pitcher Villagomez gave up one earned run off four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts through six frames. He also batted 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Jets’ Deleon Guerrero went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, a run, and two stolen bases.

The Red Sox worked out an early 3-2 edge after two innings with two runs in the top of the second frame. Nathan Camacho led off with a walk and later stole the dish, while Jhace Palacios pulled around on an RBI single.

They then broke ahead, 9-2, in the fourth inning off five hits. Palacios cranked a two-RBI triple, Craig Aguon and Roke Tenorio smashed RBI singles, and Camacho belted a two-RBI double.

The Enforcers left runners on the corners to close the frame, but managed to bring in four runs in the fifth off four hits and two walks before being stood up in the final stand by Red Sox closer Palacios.

The Enforcers mustered two runs off errors as Red Sox starter Camacho exceeded his pitch limit, but his reliever Palacios swooped in and secured the close in 1-2-3 fashion. He also bagged three RBIs at the plate.

The Fielders added four runs to its early 3-2 lead in the third inning off four hits. Jerry Kintol bashed a two-RBI triple before being driven in by Austin Roberto. The latter scored off a wild throw.

The count shifted to 9-3 in the fourth as the Fielders added two runs from another triple by Kintol. However, this time he was gunned down at the plate to end the inning.

The Lions managed to respond with two runs in the top of the fifth, but were limited to just one run in both the sixth and seventh frames by the Fielders bullpen duo of Anthony Agulto and Matt Hamilton.

The pair kept starter Jonathan Camacho’s win intact as six runs came home on his watch off six hits, five walks, and two hit batsmen to go with six strikeouts through five and a third innings.

Fielders’ Kintol batted 3-for-4 with five RBIs and a run.

The Ol’Aces skipped ahead, 3-0, in the opening frame off four hits. A.J. Lizama bagged an RBI single and T.J. Sablan cracked a two-RBI triple.

They quickly added four more in the second inning with the help of some errors and three hits. Lizama bagged another RBI single before being doubled home by Jun Rabauliman, while three other runs came in off errors.

The D-9ers managed to bring around a run in the top of the third, but a three-run, inside-the-park homer by Ol’Aces’ Lizama in the bottom frame overshadowed the feat.

The D-9ers were not discouraged and hustled out three runs in the fifth inning off errors and a triple by Robert Tudela.

The Ol’Aces got two runs back in the bottom side off a pair of RBI base rips by Rabauliman and Sablan and held the D-9ers to three runs in the sixth inning.

Ol’Aces’ Lancaster Secharmidal came to the mound for starter Jonah Flores early in the seventh inning after the former’s first man made it on and around. He did a good job securing the save despite two runs coming to the plate.

Winning pitcher Flores gave up one earned run off five hits and four walks with six strikeouts through five frames.

Ol’Aces’ Lizama batted 3-for-4 with five RBIs and two other runs.

The Lions established a 3-2 lead with two runs in the third inning off an error and an RBI triple by Dave Matagolai.

The Hunters’ only runs came in the top portion off an error and a passed ball, but Lions pitcher Bret Halstead buckled down from thereon and held the Hunters scoreless for the remaining four frames.

He added an insurance run in the fourth by himself off errors and the top of the Lions’ order tacked on three more for good measure in the fifth inning. Cedric Ada doubled home Justin Santos and Matagolai brought him to the dish with a two-base smash before coming around off another error.

Winning pitcher Halstead went all seven and gave up one earned run off three hits, a walk, and three hit batsmen with 10 strikeouts.

Lions’ Matagolai batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run.

The game remained at a standstill through the first three inning until Hustlers’ MacGarry Scaliem broke the ice off errors in the top of the fourth.

The Hustlers then awoke for four runs in the fifth inning off four hits.

Manny Flores knocked in Kevin Villagomez and a couple more Hustlers reached to load up the bases. A costly walk gifted a freebie run after which Tim Rabago pounded a two-RBI base smash.

The Lions struggled at the plate against Hustlers ace pitcher Brian Camacho and did not manage to put a runner in scoring position until they were down to their very last out; an ensuing infield fly out one batter later would end the game.

The Hustlers went on to pad its lead with two more runs in the sixth and another in the seventh as they coasted to the win. They finished with nine hits as a unit.

Winning pitcher Camacho and his defense were in rhythm on Sunday as the young hurler gave up just two hits and a walk with four strikeouts through seven innings.