CNMI loses to Guam, 1-3

The CNMI Major League All-Stars will not be playing in the title game of the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament after succumbing to their second straight loss against Guam, 1-3, last Monday at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Guam, represented in the tournament at the former Crown Colony by Southern Little League, was led in the victory by sluggers Nick Cruz and Nick Hernandez and pitcher Parish Reyes.

According to the Pacific Daily News, Cruz hit a two-run homerun, while Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Reyes, for his part, recorded eight strikeouts, while pitching only 79 pitches over the course of six innings.

Other results from Day 3 of the Pacific Pool saw Indonesia nip Philippines, 8-7; and Australia beat New Zealand, 9-4.

With the loss, the CNMI dropped to 1-2 in the team standings in the division. Guam is lording it over in the Pacific Pool with a 3-0 win-loss card, followed by 2-1 teams Australia and Indonesia. The Philippines remained the only winless team in the pool with a 0-3 mark.

Over in the Asia Pool, defending champion Chinese-Taipei and Hong Kong are on a collision course for the pool finale by each streaking to their third win in as many outings.

Chinese-Taipei defeated upstart Thailand, 5-1, while the hosts routed China, 20-1. The other Asia Pool result saw South Korea blank India, 13-0.

After 3-0 Chinese-Taipei and Hong Kong, South Korea is at 2-1, while Thailand is at 1-2. India and China both sport 0-3 win-loss records.

Making up the CNMI Major League All-Stars for the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament are Jeremy Rabauliman, Chris Mizer, A.J. Lizama, Ricky Joe Riungel, A.J. Castro, Jared Sablan, Jun Rabauliman, Raymond Saralu, A.J. Lizama, Frankie Camacho, Jonah Flores, Jerome Reyes, Keene Deleon Guerrero, Jeremy Lizama, and Poland Masaharu

Randall Aguon serves as manager and helping him in the dugout are head coach Elmer Sablan and assistant coach Manny Sablan.

Saipan’s best 9-12-year-old ballplayers booked a ticket to the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament after beating Rota, 11-1, last June 12 at the Joaquin Ogo Sr. Baseball Field in Sinapalo.

The CNMI faced New Zealand yesterday but results were still not available as of press time. It wraps up its elimination round assignment against Indonesia today. The finals of the 2008 Asia-Pacific Major League Tournament will be held on July 24.

The winner of the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament will qualify to compete in the 2008 Little League Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, later this summer.

The Little League is a non-profit organization with the objective of promoting health and integrity among the young by organizing baseball events.