Bears near regular season sweep

A Chalan Kanoa Bears player practices his throwing skills before their game against Titanium in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Chalan Kanoa Bears kept their hopes for a perfect regular season alive after slipping past Titanium, 11-10, in extra inning during their game in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The Bears now have a 13-0 record and will go for the sweep when they face the BSI Aces next week in a make-up game.

J.J. Chong scored the go-ahead run at the top of the 10th inning off a sacrifice fly from Henry Lizama. Chong batted second for the Bears and walked before advancing to second and third off Titanium’s errors with one out. Two more booboos from Titanium brought third batter Franklin Lizama to first and second, while Henry Lizama was next at bat and flied out to right field, but was credited the RBI for bringing Chong home.

Ahead by just one, Franklin Lizama tried to move the Bears closer to their 12th run, but was tagged out at third to end the top of the extra inning. The Bears went on to keep the shaky lead at the bottom as Titanium was called for a 1-2-3 inning. Closer A.J. Lizama had two straight strikeouts to end the match and help the Bears avoid the upset axe of Titanium, which was called for the first out at the bottom of the 10th when leadoff batter Joe Palacios went down on a 5-3 putout play.

Titanium threatened to hand the Bears their first loss after taking control of the first half of the match. Titanium scored eight runs in the first three innings against the six of the Bears. First baseman Brian Camacho was on target for the Bears early, going 2-for-2 in the first two innings and scoring two RBIs and one run. Jerald Cabrera was 1-for-2, but hit a two-RBI single in the second where Titanium got five runs to grab the upper hand, 7-5. Titanium went on to post a 9-6 advantage at the start of the bottom of the sixth inning before the Bears called in A.J. Lizama to relieve Payton Lizama and bring order back to the unbeaten squad.

Payton Lizama pitched 1.2 innings and gave up six runs, while starting pitcher J.J. Lizama worked the mound for 2.1 innings, yielding two runs. A.J. Lizama allowed only two runs and four hits in six innings pitched, while striking out seven.

A.J. Lizama’s presence on the mound seemed to boost his teammates’ confidence, as the Bears’ top of the order began scoring off Titanium’s errors in the second part of the close match. A.J. Lizama stole home at the top of the sixth to move the Bears within two, 7-9, and then his team tied the match at 10-apiece after a three-run top of the ninth. Joel Crisostomo scored the run that forced the standoff when he reached off a wild pitch from Jhace Palacios, while the two other runs came off Henry Lizama’s RBI walk and hit by pitch.

Titanium, which earlier made its 10th run in the seventh inning off Steven Cabrera’s RBI single, failed to break the deadlock and win the match in regulation, as it was called for a 1-2-3 inning at the bottom of the ninth. The Bears capped the regulation in fashion with a double play, as centerfielder Henry Lizama caught a fly from Patrick Tenorio and then threw to first baseman Angel Palacios, who tagged out Nathan Camacho as the latter headed back to first. A.J. Palacios earlier fanned out leadoff batter Ian Lizama for the first out.

With the loss, Titanium fell to a 7-6 record and must win its last game (against the Yankees) to remain in contention for the playoffs. Only the Top 4 teams after the double-round robin regular season will advance to the crossover semis. With their perfect record, the Bears have clinched the No. 1 spot, while defending champions GSM Brewers (9-3), the BSI Aces (8-5), Falcons (7-5) and Titanium will fight for the three remaining slots and the rankings. The Yankees (4-8), North Starz (3-10), and Blue Jays (0-4) are the first three squads to be eliminated.