Ol’Aces take marathon over Marlins, 24-19

It took nearly as long as two games to decide the outcome but the Ol’ Aces finally defeated the Marlins, 24-19, on Saturday as the Senior Leaguers battled on Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field for four and a half hours before packing their bags and heading home.

The teams combined to score 43 runs off of 47 hits, went through seven pitchers, and took so long that SLLBA president Mike Borja had to cancel the Big League match up between the Ol’Aces and the Tanapag Braves that was scheduled to follow in order to allow the Saipan Major League contest to start on time.

While none of the pitchers had days to write home about, there were plenty of happy hitters once they scanned the score sheets. The Ol’Aces racked up 28 hits and five came from centerfielder Joel Satur, who went 5-for-6 with four runs batted in off of a pair of singles and three triples.

Jesus Iguel had two tours of duty on the mound and managed to go 4-for-6 with a pair of ribbies off of three singles and a double, while Isaiah Wabol drove in four runs off of three base hits to go 3-for-5. Wabol joined Iguel with a stint on the mound, as did Nunu Kapileo, and Jacob Babauta. Kapileo also joined them at the hit-fest as he hammered out four singles and drove in a pair of runs to finish 4-for-6 on the day.

The Big League contest will between the Ol’Aces and the Tanapag Braves will be rescheduled later in the season.

MAJOR LEAGUE

Matrix 12, Pirates 9

The Toyota Matrix overcame a 7-3 deficit to the Pirates early on the strength of a nine-run third inning to earn their fifth victory of the season against a feisty Red Sox team that was hungry for a win.

Pitcher Alvander Pua did what he had to do in order to get the job done for the Matrix as he allowed nine runs off of just six hits and fanned eight through six innings, but his 10 walks hampered his efforts on the hill.

Once again first baseman Rocco Reyes played a major role in the Matrix success as the battering beanpole went 2-for-4 with a two-run triple and a two-run inside-the-park homerun.

Third baseman R.J. “Goldie Locks” Knecht also had a solid day at the plate with a pair of singles and two plate crossings, while second baseman L.J. Hemley went 1-for-4 when he stepped up to hit a two-run double in the bottom of the third.

Patriots 14, Hustlers 5

The Patriots made it a perfect baker’s dozen on Saturday as they scored a one-sided victory over one of their closest competitors by hammering the Hustlers, 14-5, at Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Field.

Joseph Palacios found success on the mound and at the plate as he allowed five runs off of five hits and fanned five through 3 1/3 innings on the hill and went 1-for-3 at the plate with a two-run homerun during an eight-run fifth that blew the game open.

Palacios was untouched until the top of the fourth when his invincibility was shattered, but Brian Camacho came in to close out the final 2 2/3 without giving up so much as a hit and fanning three to seal the deal.

Catcher Anthony Salas was behind the plate for all of the pitches and reached base in all of his at bats thanks to a pair of singles and doubles that drove in four runs and gave him a perfect 4-for-4 mark on the day.

Timothy Rabago continued his return from a broken leg by hitting two doubles and driving in three runs to finish 2-for-4 on the day.

Kagman 1-2-3 12, Red Sox 8

The kids from Kagman continued to stay within two games of the first place Patriots on Saturday as they pressed on into double-digit win territory with a 12-8 victory over the Red Sox at Tan Ge Field.

Pitcher Ike Benavente allowed eight runs and gave up 11 hits, but he fanned 10 and went the distance for Kagman thanks to the efforts of his hard-hitting teammates like third baseman Marsnjo Wabol.

After spending most of the early part of the season on the bench, Wabol has exploded onto the scene, and he had another standout day at the park with a perfect 4-for-4 performance that included a pair of singles, a double, a triple, and four runs batted in.

Franklin Agulto also had a strong showing, as the second baseman went 4-for-5 with three base knocks, a homerun, and drove in two runs, while catcher Richard Dela Cruz went 3-for-5 with three singles and four runs batted in.