D-9ers, Pirates score postseason wins

The D-9ers pulled off what many thought impossible as they beat the pennant champion Hustlers, 8-5, at the Kan Pacific Baseball Field in Marpi yesterday to open the Saipan Major League’s Fall postseason.

After jumping out to a commanding 7-0 lead through six and a half innings, David withstood a late-game rally from Goliath to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Leftfielder Derrick Babauta had a solid day at the plate for the D-9ers by hitting 2-for-4 with a single, a double, and a run batted in, while teammate Martin Camacho went 2-for-3 with a pair of base knocks and an RBI.

Tino Mafnas had the most memorable game of the three, as the first baseman went 2-for-5 with two singles, two scores, and two runs batted in—including the eventually game winner in the top of the seventh.

With a pair of runner on base, Mafnas ripped a single that first scored Babauta and then Johnty Jones for the D-9ers’ sixth run of the game during a four-run, five-hit seventh inning.

Rather than hope they could hang in with the regular season champs, the D-9ers took the offensive from the start by taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the second off of three hits. Neither team was able to tally a run on the scoreboard for four innings until the D-9ers experienced their second burst of the game.

Pirates 8, Tanapag No Zone 4

James Kintol put his two weeks of training at the Baseball Confederation of Oceania’s academy to work in his first game back from New Zealand as he led the Pirates to an opening round 8-4 win over the Tanapag No Zone.

Kintol was a monster on the mound, allowing just four runs off of four hits and fanning eight through seven innings of work. The mighty righty had command of all of his pitches before Josh Dela Cruz took the hill in relief for the final two innings.

The Pirates pitchers were well taken care of by the offense, as the batters piled up eight runs on 13 hits in the opener. Jess Igitol was all over the place for the Pirates as the utility infielder went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, three runs scored, and four stolen bases.

Designated hitter B.J. Sablan did some damage with a pair of singles, but third baseman J.P. Sablan went 2-for-5 with a single and an RBI triple to add a little umph to the offense.

Ben Jones finished 0-2 for the record, but the outstanding outfielder scored twice and stole four bases after he drew three walks.

Catcher Robert Bansil finished the day 1-for-4 with an RBI double, but he was jokingly honored by his teammates for recording a hat trick and becoming the new president of the strikeout club after fanning for the third time of the game.

Playoff action in the SML resumes this Saturday, as the Masters step aside for Game 2 at the Kan Pacific Baseball Field at 10am.