Titanium ends Bears’ streak, ties series

Jhace Palacios leads off for Titanium during the bottom of the first inning of Game 2 of their semis series against the Chalan Kanoa Bears in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League last Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Chalan Kanoa Bears are undefeated no more following Titanium’s 7-3 victory in Game 2 of their semis series in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League last Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The Bears absorbed their first loss after winning their first 15 matches this season, including a 14-game sweep in the double-round robin elimination, while Titanium tied the best-of-three semis series and forced the deciding Game 3, which will be played tonight.

Titanium was on target in the early part of the game to take control of the match, while the Bears struggled, scoring no more than one run in each of the three innings they hit the board.

Titanium tallied all its seven runs in the first five innings, while the Bears were held to two at the halfway mark. The Bears scored first with A.J. Lizama reaching off a Titanium error at the top of the opening inning, while leadoff batter and pitcher Jhace Palacios made the equalizer at the bottom, moving home off a passed ball from starting pitcher Keoni Kaipat.

The scores remained tied in the second inning before Titanium took the driver’s seat after scoring three runs apiece in the third and fifth. The Bears, on the other hand, were without a run from the second to fourth before saving one in the fifth.

Jerald Cabrera and Brian Camacho had RBI single each at the bottom of the third and the former also reached off a passed ball from Bears relief pitcher J.J. Lizama to lift Titanium to a 4-1 lead. Titanium then stretched the advantage to 6 after five complete inning, 7-1, after Jon Cabrera and Jun Rabauliman scored off the Bears’ miscues and the latter earlier singled in leadoff batter Brian Camacho.

Rabauliman’s run was Titanium’s last, but that did not hurt the team’s chances in winning Game 2 and keeping its finals hopes alive, as the Bears failed to mount a comeback to steal the victory and sweep the short series.

The Bears, after A.J. Lizama’s sacrifice out drove Franklin Lizama home at the top of the fifth inning, went cold anew from the sixth to eighth. Then at the top of the ninth, the Bears were pressured to score at least six runs to extend the game, but fell short when only Perry Celis made it home.

Celis led off for the Bears and moved to first off a Titanium error at second. Another Titanium booboo advanced him to second, while he reached third off a passed ball before making it home off one more miscue from their foe. Henry Lizama was next at bat and went down on a 5-3 putout play, while Franklin Lizama, who had a double, was beaten to third for the second out. A fielder’s choice on Peyton Lizama kept the Bears in the game, but not for long, as A.J. Lizama returned to the dugout off another 5-3 putout play, giving Titanium the Game 2 victory half an inning early.

Palacios led Titanium’s victory, as he worked the mound in no relief and gave up no earned run. He also scored two runs.

Meanwhile, Game 2 of the other semis pairing between the defending champions GSM Brewers and BSI Aces was played last night and results of the match were unavailable at press time.

The Brewers must win their second meeting to avoid losing the crown they held for the last two seasons. The BSI Aces put the defending champions to the brink of elimination following a 4-2 victory in the series opener last week.