Jets zoom past SaipanCell in extra inning

The Joeten Motor Jets regained their bearings after being grounded by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs last time out by pulling off a 15-12 win in extra innings over SaipanCell in the Budweiser 2008 Inter Government/Business Softball League Wednesday night at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

Pitcher J.J. Laniyo and leftfielder Ben Taisacan connected on one homer apiece in the eighth inning to help the Jets recover from a 7-17 loss to DCCA and improve to a 4-1 record.

Second batter Laniyo blasted a two-run homer at the top of the eighth inning, while third batter Ben Taisacan made it back-to-back round-trippers for the Jets hitting a solo homer.

Second baseman Hector Efraim nailed a one-run single, while extra hitter Jess Taitano had a two-run double, as the Jets outscored SaipanCell in the extra inning, 6-3.

Regulation ended at 9-all with the Jets forcing an extra inning after Ernie Tenorio’s single drove Myron Sablan home.

SaipanCell had a chance to take the win in regulation, but had its first three batters at the bottom of the seventh thrown out. Centerfielder John Acosta and first baseman Marino Hiroichi were beaten to first. Laniyo walked third batter and second baseman Ben Aguon, who was later tagged out to third base.

After the Jets scored three runs at the top of the extra inning taking a 15-9 lead, SaipanCell must score at least six runs to extend the game.

Extra hitter and leadoff batter Ferdy Ngirmekur gave SaipanCell its first run at the bottom of the eighth on a Payton Sakuma single.

Second batter James Villacrusis singled, while the next two batters flied out. The next two batters singled, while rightfielder Theo Minor had a two-run single bringing Villacrusis and Sakuma home to move SaipanCell within three, 12-15. But that was the last time SaipanCell scored, as Acosta was beaten to first.

SaipanCell absorbed its third loss in five games.

P&S 4, CPA 1 (rained out)

In the second game, Procurement & Supply was leading Commonwealth Ports Authority, 4-1, at the bottom of the second inning when the game was suspended due to rain.

P&S and CPA scored one run apiece in the first before the former made a three-run top of the second to take control of the game.

Pitcher Ed Mendiola led off for CPA at the bottom of the second and was beaten to first, while rightfielder Adian Mendiola singled.

Catcher Lee Monkeya was heading at the plate when rain poured and halted the play.

Players and game officials waited for the rain to stop for a few minutes, but were frustrated and decided to call off the match.

CPA was hoping to get its fourth win in as many games and join DCCA on the club of unbeaten teams.
P&S was aiming to improve its 1-3 record.

POI 10, Customs 9 (rained out)

The third game of the night—POI vs. Customs—was also rained out with the former ahead, 10-9, at the top of the fourth inning.

Customs took an early 4-0 lead after one inning capitalizing on POI’s errors.

But POI grabbed the driver’s seat when it shut out Customs in the second and had a seven-run bottom of the third. Customs made only five runs at the top of the third, allowing POI to take the upper hand after three complete innings, 10-8.

Jack Cepeda led off for Customs and scored on a J.P. Sablan single. Sablan was later tagged out to second base. POI pitcher Maurice Omengkar walked third baseman Ton Iguel before rain started to pour again, forcing organizers to call it a night.