PIAH Hustlers hungry for Big League title

The Paradise Island Animal Hospital, Inc. Hustlers are coming into opening day of the 2012 Saipan Little League Baseball Incorporated season locked, loaded and dressed for the Big League battle.

“We came up just a little short last year, but I’m proud of what they accomplished and I know they are even hungrier now. I’m confident my guys will be coming out with a vengeance,” said team manager Joe Flores, who hosted a get-together for his squad in his residence in San Antonio last weekend.

Formerly backed by Island Apparel and the Kagman Mobil Gas Station, the Hustlers had an impressive run spoiled after losing to the championship match against the Docomo Pacific Ol’Aces, 3-4. The title loss came after the Hustlers grinded out an upset over southpaw phenom Joshua Jones and the Natibu Sports Association Northern Stars, 7-6, in a 15-inning marathon semifinal.

This year, the Hustlers will have both a brand new sponsor and a new look, although their roster boasts a number of familiar faces.

The Hustlers have nine returning players including all stars MacGarett Duenas, Manny Flores and Jeremy Lizama. Completing the team are veteran players Tim Rabago, Irvin Saralu, Johnaquin DeLeon Guerrero, McJarrel Espine, Dave Demapan and MacGary Scaliem, and newcomers Brian Camacho, KJ Villagomez and Kenta Castro.

The team is mostly made up of players from San Antonio, Koblerville, and Dandan and will be coached by Audi Maratita and Franky Hocog.

“We gathered today [Saturday] basically to bring the team together and prepare for another successful season. We also want to show our appreciation to our new sponsor Edgar Tudor DVM and the Paradise Island Animal Hospital, Inc. Thank you very much for your support,” Flores said.

The team has been practicing since October at Koblerville Elementary School and according to the coaches, the squad has already shown significant improvement from last season.

“We had a great run last year, and I can tell we are even better right now from what I observed in practice. It seems like they can only beat themselves this year,” said Hocog.

Notably Maratita and Hocog played on the very first Hustlers team back in 1994. Hocog was a former pitcher and Maratita used to be his catcher back in the day.

Hocog is entering his second year coaching the group, while this season marks Maratita’s first little league coaching experience. Hocog has a season of majors division coaching under his belt as well.

Little league season is set to start at 9am this Saturday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Following the traditional opening ceremony, rematches of last year’s championship duels are set to take place throughout the day with the Big League game being saved for last at 3pm.