Aces, Falcons boost playoff bid

A Falcons pitcher makes eye contact with their catcher before throwing to home plate during their first round game against the Blue Jays in the 2018 Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Jon Perez)

Defending champions Aces and last year’s finalists Falcons strengthened their playoff chances after prevailing in separate matches last week at the resumption of action in the 2018 Saipan Baseball League at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The Aces edged the Mariners in last Thursday’s game, 5-3, while the Falcons dominated the Blue Jays last Wednesday, 14-6. With their victories, the Falcons and Aces improved their records to 11-5 and 11-6, respectively.

The Falcons moved up to solo third place in the team standings, while the Aces are in fourth place, slightly ahead of the Mariners (10-6). The Falcons, Aces, and Mariners are battling for the last two playoff berths, as the Chalan Kanoa Bears (15-1) and Go See Mark (13-3) have already secured the first two semis tickets. The Blue Jays (4-11), Titanium (9-8), Ballistics (5-11), Indians (2-13), and Outlaws (0-16) complete the standings and have been eliminated.

The Aces pulled off a come-from-behind win over the Mariners after scoring three runs at the bottom of the eighth inning. The defending champions started the pivotal inning behind, 2-3, and then stole the lead, 4-3, when John Tudela and Barry Sunumai reached off the Mariners’ errors. Ben Jones added one more run when he made it home off a hit by pitch before Angel Falig flied out at center field for the third out.

Nate Smith’s catch on Falig’ shot left three Aces’ runners stranded and kept the Mariners in the game. However, the Mariners failed to counter at the top of the ninth inning, as the Aces got the two quick outs—Ton Tenorio was beaten at first on a 6-3 play and Devyn Flores flying out at centerfield—and Pat Tenorio went down on a 6-4 putout play after Yamada advanced to first off a fielder’s choice.

With the close lose, the Mariners needed to win against the Indians last night to remain in playoff contention. After yesterday’s game, the Mariners are supposed to have one more match, but their duel against Ballistics will no longer be played and the former automatically get the win, as the latter had already forfeited it.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are in a good position to march into the playoffs after notching win No. 11 with two games left in their schedule.

A 10-run top of the fourth inning powered the Falcons to the important victory over the Blue Jays. The Falcons were down after three complete innings, 1-3, before they made a run at the top of the fourth. Frankie Lifoifoi highlighted the Falcons’ juggernaut, as he blasted a two-run triple and also scored one run. Bradley Lieto and J.J. Lifoifoi added two runs apiece and the Falcons got six of their runs off the Blues Jays’ defensive meltdowns.

The Blue Jays never recovered from thereon, as the Falcons shut down their foes from the fifth to seventh inning and also in the ninth. The Blue Jays’ three other runs made in the fourth and eighth inning were all unearned.

After beating the Blue Jays last week, the Falcons will return to the “Tan Ko” field today to face the Aces in a crucial game. The Tanapag-based team will then close out their regular season campaign this Friday when they challenge the streaking Bears, who have yet to drop a game in the second round of the elimination.