Falcons vs Comets 1 in finals

A Falcons pitcher deliver during the top of the sixth inning of their semis game against the Chiefs in the Junior League division of the 2018 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Talaabwogh Falcons and Comets 1 held strong on defense to eliminate their respective opponents and set up their title showdown in the Junior League division of the 2018 Saipan Little League Baseball.

The Comets 1 tamed the Braves, 7-1, last Saturday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield to take the first final seat, while the Falcons also prevailed in a defense-oriented semis match against the Chiefs, 4-1, to earn the second and final ticket to the championship game. The Falcons and Comets 1 will go for all the marbles this Sunday at 9am.

In the first semis match, the Comets 1’s Reid Teregeyo and Bing Nakamura combined for a no-hitter in seven innings to hold the Braves to one run. Teregeyo tossed for 4.3 innings and struck out 11 batters. With Teregeyo on the mound, the Braves were forced to a 1-2-3 in the second and fourth inning. Then in the third inning, with the bases loaded, Teregeyo fanned two to break the Braves’ heart. The Braves got their lone run at the top of the first inning with Antonio Norita reaching off a Comets 1’s error at second base.

The Braves had a chance to score anew at the top of the fifth with the based loaded, again. However, Nakamura, struck out Heath Camacho to end the inning. Nakamura went on to fan five more batters and keep the Braves hitless.

Besides his steady performance on the mound, Nakamura also contributed on offense, scoring one run after going 2-for-3 at bat. Teregeyo was 1-for-2 and also made one run and one RBI. Justin Agulto added two runs, while J.P. Castro and Ross Arreda logged one each off a passed ball and C.J. Castro’s single, respectively. Jay Lifoifoi had a bunt to drive Justin Magofna in.

In the second semis game, pitchers Keoni Serrano and Lucio Aldan threw a two-hitter to bring the Falcons to the finale.

Serrano started out for the Falcons and gave up only a double (to Patrick Celis in the second inning) in the 5.2 innings he worked the mound. Celis was able to make it to third based, while Eliray Castro advanced to second off a passed ball, but the two runners were left stranded after Serrano fanned Justin Aaron for the third out. Serrano went on to collect 11 strikeouts.

The Falcons ace held the Chiefs scoreless in the first four innings before Kianna Camacho put the losing squad on the board at the top off the fifth after making it home off the former’s booboo at third base. Camacho’s run, however, failed to spark a Chiefs’ comeback, as the Falcons forced their opponents to 1-2-3 in the last two innings.

Earlier in the first two innings, the Falcons scored three runs—one from Sandy Kani in the first inning off a passed ball and two in the second from Aldan’s run off the Chiefs’ error at home plate and Tasei Desebel’s sacrifice fly. The Falcons fourth and last run came at the bottom off the fifth, courtesy of Aldan’s single that drove in Serrano.