Hustlers draw first blood as season starts

The Hustlers sustained a good start to pull out a 7-4 win over the Dragons in yesterday’s opening day of the 2009 Saipan Little League Baseball.

Roy Saralu, Payton Lizama, and Cody Kaipat each scored in the top of the second inning to spark the Hustlers’ spirited game before a huge crowd at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Baseball Field.

Two other games were scheduled as of press time yesterday in the Major division, including Red Sox against Tanapag Braves and the Ol’Aces against Survivors.

Today’s games will start at 9am between Kagman Little Lions and As Matuis Twins, A’s vs. Team Shell, Team IT&E vs. Jets, and JPO Enforcers vs. Little Falcons.

Games in the Junior and Senior divisions have also started yesterday over at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

But the first game of the 2009 Little League season between the defending champion Kagman Lion Heart and Ol’Aces was called off due to time constraints.

The two teams were tied at 5-5 after four full innings.

Organizers said this will be rescheduled to a later date.

Kagman’s Jonah Flores singled then went on to score the first run of the season on a triple by Lamarc Iguel right in the top of the first inning.

After Greg Iskawa tied it with a run in the bottom first, Carol Camacho gave the Lion Heart a 2-1 lead in the top of second, but Ol’Aces grabbed the lead with four runs from Ramon Camacho, Noel Sanchez, Iskawa, and Richard de la Cruz, in that order.

Then Iguel and Caleb Arriola reached home plate anew for Kagman in the third and Flores scored his second run in the game on base on ball by Iguel in the fourth before the officials called off the game.

Before the game, Saipan Little League Baseball Association officials and top government officials led by Lt. Gov. Tim Villagomez, Senate President Pete P. Reyes, and House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios delivered inspirational speeches before some 2,000 people in attendance.

SLLB president Michael A. Borja thanked the team managers and their sponsors for their effort to form their teams and hope for a successful season.

District administrator James A. Ada also lauded the enthusiasm among the participating players.

There are close to 500 players from the total of 31 teams that are competing this year, including 14 in the Major Division.

The invocation was given by Fr. Florentino “Noynoy” Recaido while the benediction was delivered by pastor Roger Abe.

The ceremonial pitch was thrown by Villagomez, while Bob Coldeen served as master of ceremony.

Two other games were still in progress as of press time at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. Defending champion Jets were taking on the Fielders in the Senior Division, while the Fielders were up against San Roque D’9ers in the Junior Division.

Games today start at 9am between Red Sox and the Patriots in the Junior division, while San Roque D’9ers will face Kagman Lion King at 11am in the Senior Division.

Ol’Aces will meet the Fielders in the Junior Division at 1pm and Ol’Aces battle the Jets at 3pm.

Games in the Big League Division will start tomorrow at 6pm between the Tanapag Falcons and the Hustlers also at the Palacios ballfield.

The Ol’Aces will take on the Fielders on Thursday, Feb. 19, and Team Aztecs takes on San Roque D’9ers at 6:30pm on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The 2009 Board of Directors is composed of Borja (president), Vicente M. Taitano (vice president), Rose Igitol (secretary), Annie DLG. Flores (treasurer), Vicente A. Manalo (safety officer), Tony Rogolifoi (chief statistician), Walter Macaranas (player agent) and James “Miwata” Elidechedong (umpires representative).