Bank of Saipan edges Comets

McDonald’s pitcher Dylan Santos throws to the plate against the Cubs in their Majors division game in the 2018 Saipan Little League Baseball last Sunday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield. (Jon Perez)

Jesse Stole pitched two plus innings in relief, while Jacob Wesley and Greg Perez delivered at the plate to lift Bank of Saipan past Comets, 6-5, in last Sunday’s game in the 2018 Saipan Little League Baseball’s Majors division at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

Stole pitched a one-hit game with no earned runs. He also struck out nine and walked seven before he was replaced by Ezra Ada when Petty Mendiola was about to bat at the bottom of the sixth.

Holding on to a slim two-run lead at the bottom of the sixth, Stole gave Bank of Saipan some anxious moments after giving up consecutive walks to Sonny Aldan and James Lifofoi. Aldan led off for the Comets then scored on a Stole wild pitch.

Stole then retired Sonny Pangelinan and again walked Anton Indalencio, putting runners at the corners. Ada came in to replace Stole and immediately walked Mendiola to load up the bases. But Ada settled in after that and struck out Tobit Cruz and Norech Kachoi to end the game.

Greg Perez pitched 2 1/5 innings in start with one hit, three strikeouts, and two walks. Wesley went 2-for-2 with two doubles, a run, and an RBI for Bank of Saipan, while Tydingco scored twice on a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.

McDonald’s 9, Cubs 3
Dylan Santos threw a complete game in leading McDonald’s past the Cubs. The lefty pitcher surrendered one earned run on four hits and had 11 strikeouts and one walk.

He also had plenty of defensive help with an inning-ending double play at the bottom of the third serving as the highlight of the match.

Quin Palacios, leading off for the Cubs in the third, got on base on an interference play and advanced on a passed ball. Sebastian Saito struck out, while Kiku Delos Santos flied out with McDonald’s center fielder Frankie Eriich making the catch for out No. 2. Eriich then quickly made the relay throw to shortstop Dylan Mister to tag Palacios out at third base and end the inning.

Isidro Lizama threw four innings in relief, allowing one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks for the Cubs.

Albert Adriano lasted for two innings, giving up two hits—including an RBI triple to Josh Deleon Guerrero in a four-run second inning by McDonald’s. He also had four strikeouts with no walks.

MINORS
NSA Braves 3, Cubs 2
Javen Camacho had 11 strikeouts to help the Braves escape past the Cubs in the first ever Minors division game. He limited the Cubs to two hits with one earned run and two walks.

With the score tied at 1-1, Braves catcher Maximo Taitano singled after Ayden Magofna struck out leading off for the NSA-sponsored crew. Taitano scored on a botched play by the Cubs to push the Braves ahead, while Javen Camacho, who also singled, reached on another error.

Rosie Saralu ended the top of the sixth by retiring Jacob Babauta and Kindu Pua. Saralu, at the bottom of the sixth with one out, walked and later reached home plate to move the Cubs within one.

Robert Manglona struck out, while Abraham Saralu walked to put another runner on base. Abraham Saralu, however, was left stranded after Camacho retired Joseph Lizama to end the game.