Wells Fargo is tops in Crime Stoppers tourney

While their sponsor has changed, their dominating style of play hasn’t, as Wells Fargo once again emerged from a pack of Saipan’s top softballers over the weekend to take the 4th Annual NMI Crime Stoppers Slow Pitch Softball Tournament at Tan Ge Softball Field.

After enjoying life in the fast lane for most of the tournament, the Wells Fargo squad rallied from a 6-4 deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a booming 12-6 advantage with an eight-run explosion. The all-star-laden team hung on from there to ultimately win the game and the tournament, 14-6.

Wells Fargo got started on the road to success early on with an opening win over Team DFS and never lost a game throughout the weekend affair. From there, Wells Fargo sent the powerful No Zone and Natibu squads to the loser’s bracket before Natibu resurfaced for yesterday’s rematch.

Natibu’s road to the finals was a little more difficult, as they passed through Brotherhood and Lite in the first two rounds before falling to Wells Fargo for its first loss. As the last member of the winners’ side to experience its first defeat, all Natibu had to do in the losers’ bracket was survive DFS to earn the rematch.

For their efforts on the diamonds, the Wells Fargo nine earned a place on the perpetual trophy, took home the first place trophy, and pocketed the $300 prize. Natibu didn’t leave the field empty-handed, as the second place squad received a trophy and $200 for taking Wells Fargo to the edge in the finals.

The game play wasn’t the only excitement on the slate for the weekend, as some of Saipan’s top sluggers vied for the title of homerun king. One by one, the sultans of swat marched through the elimination rounds before Ned Norita of Natibu won the $50 prize for the most long balls and Gloyd Martin of DFS took home a case of Miller Lite.

The tournament got underway at the Oleai Sports Complex on Friday night and moved to the Dan Dan softball field on Saturday before coming to a close yesterday when Wells Fargo defeated Natibu on Tan Ge diamond.

The Wells Fargo squad comprises of players from 2003 and 2005 champions No Ka Oi.

The event was originally scheduled for play a week earlier, but according to tournament coordinator Jim Ripple, was moved at the urging of the organizing committee to coincide with the return of our troops of the Echo Co. 100th BN 442nd Inf. and “in honor of our fallen brothers SSG. Wilgene Lieto and CPL Derence Jack.”

For further information about future tournaments or to help NMI Crime Stoppers, contact Eric David by calling 664-9022, or Jim Ripple by calling 235-2302.