Patriots pummel foes, take top spot

Defending champion SaipanCell Patriots scored consecutive one-sided wins over separate opponents on Saturday and Thursday to take solo first place in the Majors division of the Saipan Little League.

The Patriots first victim was the Kautz Glass Pirates on April 10 when they scored a 15-1 win over the Mark Flores-managed squad then coasted to a 39-4 thrashing of the Shell Marianas Suns on Saturday at the Miguel Basa “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Field.

Jun Rabauliman and Joe Lizama led the Patriots’ win over the Pirates as they blasted home runs each against Kautz Glass pitcher Frankie Camacho.

Rabauliman went perfect at the plate, 3-for-3, scoring three runs and had three RBIs, including a third inning two-run home run. Lizama went 2-for-4 with two runs, four RBIs, and a three-run homer also in the third.

Brandon Philip nearly pitched a no-hitter against the Pirates if not for a Kasei Toda RBI single in the second inning to let Frankie Norita score their lone run. He struck out seven batters but walked another six.

The SaipanCell crew’s bats were again in full power in Saturday’s 39-4 crushing of the Suns.

Jared Sablan and Jeremy Rabauliman led the Patriots’ hit parade as they peppered the Suns bullpen going 39-for-56 in batting for a .696 average.

Sablan blasted a first inning grand slam, going 5-for-6 as he hit the cycle with five runs scored. He singled in his first at bat then had a double and triple in the second and fourth innings to go with his five RBIs.

Rabauliman went berserk belting two round-trippers, going 5-for-7 and scoring six times to also hit for the cycle. He started off with a first inning solo shot then doubled in the second and blasted a two-run homer and an RBI triple in the third.

Rabauliman did not stop there as he connected for an RBI double in the fourth to end his trip at the plate.

Ray Tenorio also homered going 5-for-7 with five runs and four RBIs, while Jun Rabauliman went 5-for-5 with five runs, one double, and three triples. Lizama went 5-for-6 with four runs, a double, and a triple.

Chris Mizer went 4-for-6 with four runs scored to go with his three doubles.

Sablan also pitched three innings giving up two earned runs on hits with four strikeouts and five walks. Jeremy Rabauliman pitched one no-hit inning in relief with three strikeouts retiring the Suns’ top of the lineup composed of Paul Celis, Lametto Sablan, and Perry Celis.

In the other game, R.J. Knecht pitched four four-hit innings to lead the PTI Dolphins to a 9-6 decision against the AA Enterprises/TCC World Tanapag Braces. Knecht gave up two earned runs with three strikeouts and three walks.