Falcons take first finals seat

The Falcons’ Spencer Dickinson attempts to run from third base to home plate during the bottom of the third inning of their tiebreak game for the pennant against the Enforcers in the Junior League division of the SLLB last Sunday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Falcons moved into the finals of the Junior League division of the 2016 Saipan Little League Baseball after outclassing Kagman Enforcers in a low scoring semis game, 2-0, yesterday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Spencer Dickinson again starred in the Falcons’ second straight win against the Enforcers, pitching in no relief in seven innings and throwing a three-hitter. Dickinson during the tiebreak game for the pennant last Sunday hit a two-RBI single at the bottom of the third inning to give the Falcons enough cushion and then closed out for the eventual pennant champions, foiling the Enforcers’ comeback bid late in the game.

In their face-off anew for the first finals berth, Dickinson this time worked the mound for the Falcons and shutdown the Enforcers. He fanned out six batters, walked only two, and had one hit by pitch.

On the offensive end, the Falcons drew an RBI single each from starting second baseman Angel Iguel and left fielder I.I Teigita at the bottom of the fifth inning for a 2-0 lead.

The Enforcers had little opportunities to overhaul the deficit in the last two innings, as the best they could do was moved to first on two occasions. Donovan Deleon Guerrero advanced to first as he was hit by a pitch from Dickinson at the top of the sixth, however the former was left stranded after Pedro Maratita and Dennis Cabrera flied out to right field and third base, respectively. The Enforcers leadoff batter Gloyd Martin had earlier flied out too at centerfield for the first out.

At the top of the seventh, the Enforcers were called for two quick outs as Ignacio Mendiola was beaten to first and Dickinson caught a fly from Chris Achas. Dickinson then walked Daren Taitingfong, giving the Enforcers a break, however the former made up for his lapses in the ensuing play as he struck out Sean Rabauliman to end the game and hand the Falcons the first finals ticket.

The finals will be played this Sunday with the Falcons still have to wait for their opponents. The Enforcers, despite the loss, still have a chance to advance provided they will win against the victor of the Red Sox-Braves playoff game, which was also played yesterday afternoon, but results were unavailable at press time.

The Junior League division and the two other categories (Senior and Big League) are using a page playoff system with the Top 2 finishers in the regular season battling for the first finals berth. The loser will then collide against the winner between the No. 3 and 4-ranked teams for the last finals spot. The remaining finals ticket will be up for grabs in this Saturday’s playoff match.