Previous Story
Big Leaguers advance to World Series
|
Posted on Dec 31 2008
The CNMI Big League All-Stars were the “last man standing” after it beat the Philippines, 8-7, in the 2008 Asia-Pacific Regional Little League Tournament last July 3 at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.
The CNMI finished round-robin play with an immaculate 2-0 win-loss slate following wins over Guam and the Philippines.
The hero of the championship match was relief pitcher Shane Yamada, who stopped the Philippines’ late-game rally with a maestro performance from the mound.
The team also got a boost from the explosive bats of Jesus Iguel, Vincent Sablan, and Nunu Kapileo. It also helped that the Philippines shot themselves in the foot with costly errors all throughout the finals.
CNMI Big League All-Stars manager Robert Magofna said his team won the championships game because they wanted it more.
“I think the guys just went out and played their guts out. They just really wanted to win the game. I think the Philippines put out a very good game. But we just wanted to win it for our fans. We’re the Big Leaguers and we have to show and motivate our Junior and Senior Leaguers who both lost in the finals. That’s what motivated us to win and we want those kids to know that we are always here for them.”
Unfortunately, the CNMI Big Leaguers’ success on home soil didn’t carry over in the World Series in Easley, South Carolina.
The CNMI lost all its four games in the mainland via the 10-run mercy rule as the huge time difference and high level competition resulted in one-sided loses in the part of the local boys at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex.
Dominican Republic throttled the CNMI in its debut, 16-1. The game against Puerto Rico was worse, as the Latin America I champions no-hit the Commonwealth in a 19-0 shutout.
After a rest day the carnage continued as the CNMI bowed to Canada, 2-12. The CNMI then wrapped up its 2008 Big League World Series stint with a 2-12 loss against Germany.
The CNMI Big League All-Stars celebrate atop the mound after beating the Philippines, 8-7, in the 2008 Asia-Pacific Regional Little League Tournament.
