CK Bears win debut vs BSI Ol’Aces

BSI Ol’Aces’ Darion Jones warms up for their game against the CK Bears in the SBL last Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Chalan Kano Bears prevailed in their season debut game in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League after outclassing the BSI Ol’Aces, 13-10, last Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Starting shortstop A.J. Lizama led the Bears’ victory, as he went 3-for-5 at the plate and scored three RBIs and two runs. Jose Lizama also hit 3-for-5 and added two runs, while J.P Lizama was 2-for-4 and contributed two RBIs.

The Bears after failing to reach home at the top of the first inning, scored in the next five, including a three-run production each in the fourth and fifth, to build enough cushion and then shut down the Ol’Aces in the last two to preserve their lead and escape with the win.

A.J. Lizama pitched last for the Bears and struck out four in the last 2.2 innings, while allowing only one hit from the 10 batters he faced. Jeffrey Lizama started on the mound for the Bears and gave up four hits and six runs, while fanning out four in 5.1 innings pitch before he was relieved by Giovanni Ayuyu.

With Jeffrey Lizama playing steady and the rest of the Bears’ defense holding their ground, the Ol’Aces could not get the run they wanted. The Best Sunshine International-backed Ol’Aces had an on and off offensive game in the first six innings before gaining their most runs (4) in the seventh.

Ben Jones Jr. had an RBI single in that four-run bottom of the seventh, while Kimo Angailen reached off a wild pitch and the two other runs came from a passed ball and a Bears error. However, that was it for the Ol’Aces as A.J. Lizama closed out for the Bears and secured the win. Lizama had two strikeouts at the bottom of the eight with his last leaving an Ol’Aces runner stranded at second. The Ol’Aces flied out for the first out in the eighth.

In the ninth, the Ol’Aces had a 1-2-3 inning with A.J. Lizama sparking a 1-3 putout play and later fanning out Juan Iguel Jr. The Ol’Aces flied out at shortstop earlier for the second out.

Meanwhile, Art Man Titanium had a rousing debut in SBL after dominating the North Starz, 13-1.

Titanium got the win two innings early via the 10-run mercy rule.

Joe Palacios pitched for Titanium in four innings and allowed only two hits and one run, while striking out six. Manny Cabrera took over in the last three innings and gave up only one hit with no run.

Titanium scored three runs apiece in the first, second, and fourth inning, and tacked on four more in the third to set up the easy win, while the North Starz lit up the board only in the fourth inning with Tim Cruz making it home off a wild pitch.