CNMI Seniors beat China to remain perfect

  HAGATNA, Guam-The CNMI Senior All-Stars won its third game in as many outings after thumping China, 17-5, in Day 3 of the 2012 Senior League Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament yesterday at the Paseo Stadium in Hagatna, Guam.

While China fell to a 0-3 win-loss record, the CNMI Seniors try to continue their flawless run against the Philippines today.

China actually started the game on the right foot, taking a 3-0 lead off two hits and a pair of RBI fielder’s choices in the opening frame.

The CNMI, however, fired back with nine runs in the second inning off eight hits.

Jun Rabauliman lit the wick with a leadoff double and hustled his way over to third base, while Davin and Cedric Ada, Khobby Kaipat, and Frankie Lieto all bashed RBI base rips.

A.J. Lizama also lifted a sacrifice fly and Rabauliman stole home after bashing an RBI base rip in his second at bat.

The CNMI kept China at bat in the bottom portion, but its bats cooled for the next two innings.

China managed its final two runs in the third inning off a fielder’s choice and a walk followed by a bunt to the pitcher and an error at third base.

Nevertheless, the CNMI jumped back on its horse and trotted ahead, 13-5, in the top half of the fourth off three hits.

Rabauliman slapped an RBI single to left field and the other runs were assisted by errors by a developing China squad.

China’s senior team appeared to be made up of younger players, but showed improvement at the plate in its third game of the competition. They only mustered a couple of runs in its first two matches and succumbed to the mercy rule all three times.

The CNMI went on to tack on its last four runs in the fifth inning off four hits, highlighted by a couple of RBI singles by T.J. Sablan and Lizama.

Frankie Camacho batted 3-for-4 with two runs and likely would have scored three times, but was called out after smashing a double to center field in the fourth inning for not touching first base. Lieto swung 2-for-2 with two doubles for an RBI, two runs, two stolen bases, and a hit-by-pitch.

Moreover, CNMI pitcher Steven Cabrera gave up three earned runs in three innings off two bunts and two hits with three walks. Reliever Austin Piteg made it cleanly through the fourth with a strikeout and a walk, while Jonathan Villagomez closed the match with the help of his infield and gave up a walk and plunked a batter before finishing the game with a strikeout.

Next up for the undefeated CNMI Senior All-Stars is the Philippines tomorrow at 2:30pm.

Saipan Tribune also would like to make a correction in the CNMI Senior All-Stars’ 15-1 rout of Indonesia on Thursday. Its pitching tandem of Frankie Lieto and Davin Ada actually combined for a no-hitter. The previous write-up stated that Lieto gave up a hit, but in fact, the play went down in the official scorebook as an error at third base.

BIG LEAGUE

Philippines 3, CNMI 2 (Suspended)

The CNMI Big League All-Stars, meanwhile, went into the last inning of its Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament opener against the Philippines Thursday night all tied up at 2-2.

The Big Leaguers, however, gave up a run to the Philippines (1-0) in the top of seventh before rain caused a suspension to the game.

The CNMI had an out to go to close the inning and needs a late rally to survive.

The game will resume today before they do it all over again against the Philipines in their second pairing of the double round robin, which was originally scheduled for 5:15pm.

The CNMI played Guam (0-1) last night and details of that match will also will be released Monday. Only three teams make up the Big League field.

Meanwhile, over in Nha Trang City, Vietnam, the CNMI Junior All-Stars defeated the Philippines, 3-2, in Thursday’s semifinals and advanced to the championship match against Chinese-Taipei. The game took place last night at 8pm and the result will be released Monday.

The CNMI Major All-Stars (1-2), for their part, finished its round of pool play against Indonesia (0-3) early yesterday but results were not available as of press time. The team lost to Korea, 6-0, Thursday night.

The CNMI majors are designated in Pool B, which includes Australia, Thailand, as well as the teams listed above.

Pool A fields host team Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Guam, and New Zealand.

The team needed a win and a loss by Australia to keep its playoff hopes alive.

The semifinals takes place today with Sunday’s championship and consolation matches closing the show.

The Major League Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament is being held at the Wens Shiao Field in Taichung, Taipei.

By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter