Back-to-back for Falcons

The Talaabwogh Falcons prevailed in the battle of Tanapag teams after outclassing the NSA Braves, 9-2, in the championship game in the Major division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball yesterday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

The Falcons successfully defended the Major division crown they won over McDonald’s in the 2013 season, as they recovered from two scoreless innings and leaned on pitcher Arby Yaguel to down the Braves in the 2014 finale. Joining Yaguel on the champion team are Joel Norita, Aven Evangelista, Angel Iguel, Zach Reyes, Nick Nekai, Keoki Blas, Max Pangelinan, Jonathan Renguul, Keoni Serrano, and Herbs Lieto. Manny Evangelista is the Falcons’ manager, while Dodet Feliciano, Joseph Lifoifoi, and Jesse Seman are the coaches.

The winner-take-all finale was moved back twice and after more than two weeks of break, both teams showed some rust in yesterday’s championship match. The Braves were done at the top of the first inning after only four batters with the Falcons getting a double play against the former’s first two batters and stranding third batter Robin Sablan at second after Yaguel struck out Joe Tudela. The Falcons also failed to score in the first inning with their first two batters going out and the next two left stranded at first and second after Yaguel was called for a 6-3 putout play.

The Talaabwogh Falcons players, coaches, and manager pose with their trophies after beating the NSA Braves, 9-2, in the championship game
in the Major division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball yesterday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Falcons were still without a single run in the second inning, while Antonio Norita drew first blood for the Braves at the top of the second, reaching home off a an error from Serrano to put his team in front. However, the Braves’ hold on the driver’s seat did not last long, as the Falcons’ batters got into their rhythm in next three innings to foil the former’s upset bid.

Catcher Angel Iguel ended the Falcons’ drought, as his triple brought leadoff batter Evangelista home. First baseman Justin Cangco then broke the tie and put the Falcons on top with his RBI single that drove Iguel home.

Ahead by only one after three complete innings, the Falcons gained more cushion in the fourth inning, thanks to Evangelista. The Falcons shortstop, who flied out in his first at-bat before getting a single in the third inning, this time blasted a two-run triple in the fourth and also reached home off a stolen base for their 5-1 advantage. The lead went up to five, 6-1, as Iguel bagged his second run off an error at third base.

The Braves were stuck to one run, as they had two runners stranded in second and third at the top of the third. Sablan reached third and Tudela was at second with two outs when fifth batter Vicente Camacho was caught with a 5-3 putout play. In the fourth inning, the Braves had a 1-2-3 with Yaguel striking out leadoff batter Antonio Norita, Mike Norita flying out at center, and Josenio Alvarez going out on a 6-3 putout play.

The Braves then broke their silence in the fifth inning with Sablan’s double bringing Isaiah Teigita home. However, Sablan was stranded at second, as Yaguel struck out Tudela for the third out. The Falcons got the quick two outs in the fifth with Yaguel striking out V.J. Igitol and then picked up a grounder from Anthony Dizon before throwing to Cangco at first base for the second out.

At the bottom of the fifth, the Falcons added three more runs off Iguel’s RBI single, a fielder’s choice, and an error to pressure the Braves to score at least seven runs to continue the game. The extension did not happen, as the Falcons defense stood out anew at the top of the sixth. Third baseman Reyes caught a fly ball from Camacho for the first out. Yaguel, who allowed a single to second batter Antonio Norita, then got the second out when he picked up a grounder from Mark Norita and threw to Cangco at first base. Alvarez was next at bat and made contact with the ball, which headed toward first base and Cangco was there to catch the fly and seal the Falcons’ title win.