Falcons, Junior Nationals edge foes in SBL

Junior Nationals player Kazu Dela Cruz is seen in this file photo during one of their games in the 2023 Tan Holdings-Saipan Baseball League season played at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. (LEIGH GASES)

The Falcons and Junior Nationals edged their foes in the 2023 Tan Holdings-Saipan Baseball League during their games last Wednesday and Tuesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

The Falcons held the Brewers to just one run in their 9-1 game last Wednesday, while the youngsters of the Junior Nationals team mercy ruled the Survivors, 14-2.

It was a quiet offensive night for the Brew Crew with their only run made in the first inning after a base hit by Verlance Secharmidal brought in Diego Camacho. 

Their lineup lasted until the fifth batter before the third out, but throughout the rest of the game, Falcons’ pitching duo of J.J. Lifoifoi and Ricky Riungel allowed only one other hit to Reed Teregeyo.

Meanwhile, the Falcons were soaring high and made two runs in the first inning by a single from Giovanni Mira.

The bottom of the lineup in the second inning produced similar results as Jordan Suel and Joel Noirta hit back to back singles and came home after a go ahead triple by Arby Yaguel.

Three more runs came in the third as Brewers’ pitching fell apart and walked four batters in that inning alone. Falcons’ bats simmered down in the fourth and last inning as they brought in just two more runs, but it was more than enough to get the victory as the Brewers knocked in just one.

The Survivors perished in the hands of the Junior Nationals and the game was shortened to only five innings.

The Junior Nationals had a wild second inning as they put up 10 after their three-run second inning. 

It was thanks to the Survivors’ lackluster pitching that allowed four Junior National batters to walk, allowed five base hits, one double, walked one more batter, and hit one.

Albert Adriano made the double and had two RBIs in the game. He eventually scored home after he took third base on a passed ball. The inning mercifully ended when the third out was made on a fly ball.

At this point, the Survivors brought in their first run after the first inning. However, they went runless in the second and third despite getting on base and finally managed to get one more run in the fourth inning. 

The game ended early as the Junior Nationals put up one more run in the fourth, while the Survivors could not put up any in their last at bat.

In the end, Junior National pitchers Jon Diaz and Benji Palacios dominated the Survivors as they collectively struck out nine Survivors. 

Results of last Friday’s and last Thursday’s game will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.