Falcons sweep MVP awards in Junior League

The Falcons’ Tyrese Camacho delivers a pitch to the Kagman Enforcers during their tiebreak game for the pennant in the Junior League division of the SLLB late last month at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Falcons made it 2-for-2 in the most valuable player races as Tyrese Camacho and Spencer Dickinson were named regular season and Finals MVPs in the Junior League division of the 2016 Saipan Little League Baseball last weekend at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Camacho, who was among the players in the Falcons’ deep bullpen helped his squad earn the division’s best mark (9-3), the same record the Kagman Enforcers got. Camacho, who had the division’s most strikeouts (55) in the four round-robin regular season, and company eventually won the pennant after beating the Enforcers in the tiebreak game, 2-0. He was the starting pitcher in the rubber match before Dickinson took over late in the game.

Dickinson also relieved Camacho in their title match against the Enforcers last Sunday, allowing only four hits with no earned run in 3.4 innings pitched. The lefty also went 2-for-3 at bat and scored one RBI and two runs, which he posted in the pivotal bottom of the fifth inning to lift the Falcons to a 10-7 finals victory.

Dickinson and Camacho were awarded with trophies at the conclusion of the Junior League competition. Also making in to the awards list were batting champion Aven Evangelista of the Falcons; the Braves’ Jose Tudela (doubles); the Enforcers’ Dennis Cabrera (triples); and the Braves’ Philip Kapileo (RBI) and Vicente Camacho (ERA). Evangelista also led the league in runs, tying teammate Angel Iguel.

Kiku, Peyton Lizama shine in Big League
Meanwhile, the Braves’ Kiku Lizama and the Yankees Peyton Lizama bagged the regular season and Finals MVP awards in the Big League division.

Peyton powered the Yankees to an 8-2 title victory over the Islanders last Tuesday. He pitched 6. 2 innings, allowed only two hits, and gave up only one earned run. He also had five strikeouts and walked only four.

Kiku, on the other hand, topped three categories in the regular season to clinch the regular season MVP award. He was the batting champ (.500 average off his 19-for-30 performance at bat) and had the most doubles (5) and runs (14).

Winners in other categories were Darion Jones (most triples), Nathan Camacho (most strikeouts), M.J. Sakisat (best ERA), and Roke Tenorio (most RBIs). Tenorio along with Jhace Palacios took the home run trophy after rounding the bases once.