Enforcers still flawless in Junior League

The JPO Enforcers huddle on the mound before their game in the Junior League division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball at the Francisco ?Ta Ko? Palacios Ballfield. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

The JPO Enforcers kept their immaculate record in the Junior League division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball, following a 12-1 rout of the Fielders last Sunday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Kier Agda pitched in no-relief for the Enforcers in six innings, allowing only three hits and no earned run to lift his team to its fifth win in as many games. The Enforcers ace also struck out eight batters.

Agda’s steady pitching was complemented by the Enforcers’ solid hitting as the division leader went 21-for-38 at bat and got eight earned runs. Catcher Shakobe Rangamar was only 2-for-4 at the plate, but had a three-run double in the fourth inning and also scored the Enforcers’ fourth run in that frame. Garnet Martin went 3-for-4 at bat and contributed two RBIs, while Myles Santos had two RBIs, as his double drove Jordon Kosam and Jeff Castro home in the last inning.

The Enforcers, who made three runs in the first inning, but went cold in the next two finished strong on offense, scoring in the last three innings. The Fielders (1-4), on the other hand, struggled all day, drilling only one run in the second inning with Kimo Angailen reaching home off an error from Rangamar.

Falcons 14, Jets 12
In the first game last Sunday, the Falcons slipped past the Jets (2-3).

The Falcons (3-2) won the closely fought game after getting insurance runs in the sixth inning and holding strong on defense in the last.

Hanging on to a 9-8 lead after five complete innings, the Falcons collected five runs at the top of the sixth to gain more distance. Catcher Don Fejeran hit a two-run triple and also made it home off Oscar Lizama’s single. Lizama went on to give the Falcons their fourth run in that inning after stealing home, while Ace Evangelista scored the fifth run, courtesy of Kekuni Kainoa’s single.

The Jets answered with three runs off a passed ball, stolen base, and Jerome Reyes’ RBI single to remain in contention. Down by only three, 11-14, the Jets threatened the Falcons anew, as the former shut out the latter at the top of the seventh and leadoff batter Brandon Pua tripled and stole home at the bottom of the inning. However, the Falcons tightened up their defense in the ensuing plays for the three quick outs and the win. Second baseman Jay Kalen threw to Evangelista, who tagged Nathaniel Torres out and the former got the second out after catching a fly ball from Noel Cabrera, while closer Benen Iguel struck out Austin Benavente.

Comets 8, Red Sox 1
The Comets (3-2) joined the Falcons in second place in the team standings after downing the struggling Red Sox (1-4).

The Comets managed to cruise to victory despite a slow start. They led by only one after three innings and were even in a deadlock at the top of the fourth, 1-1, as the Red Sox got into the board off an error from the Comets catcher.

Centerfielder Jimmy Demapan then broke the deadlock at the bottom of the fourth with his two-run double and he also scored off a sacrifice fly from Elijah Villar to give the Comets a 4-1 cushion. Four more runs off three booboos from Red Sox shortstop Delin Resaura and Matthew Higgers widened the gap.

Winning pitcher Austin Indalecio gave up only three hits and no earned run to help the Comets avenge their 8-10 loss to the defending champions in the first round.