CNMI splits games in ASPAC

The CNMI shut out the Philippines in five innings in Saturday’s opener, 10-0, but failed to notch back-to-back wins when it fell to Korea yesterday, 0-8.

Rokie Tenorio and Nathan Camacho led the CNMI’s offense in the first two games. Tenorio went 3-for-5 with an RBI, two runs, and a base on balls, while Camacho hit 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one homer.

The Commonwealth is in Pool B, which has Korea and Guam tied for the lead with similar 1-0 records. Hong Kong holds a 1-1 mark, while the Philippines has a 0-2 card. Guam defeated Hong Kong, 4-2, on Saturday, but the latter bounced back and edged the Philippines yesterday, 6-5. Only the Top 2 teams in each pool will advance to the semifinals on Thursday. The CNMI will face Hong Kong today in a must-win match at 9am.

In Pool A, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore are undefeated, while Australia, Indonesia, and New Zealand are at the bottom half of the group.

Taiwan knocked off Australia, 9-4, in its opener and skunked New Zealand, 14-4, yesterday. Thailand is blooming after besting New Zealand Saturday, 4-1, and trampling Indonesia yesterday, 25-3. Singapore is raising eyebrows, following a 6-0 shutout over Indonesia and an 8-5 thriller against Australia. Singapore trailed, 5-6, heading into the last inning and pulled off a three-run rally before holding Australia to just a run in the final stand to steal the win. Australia was stuffed with the bases loaded by a game-ending double-play.
[B] CNMI 10, Philippines 0[/B]

Visiting CNMI batted around in its first crack at the plate and shot ahead, 6-0, off five hits and an error. The Commonwealth made three triples, one home run from Nathan Camacho, and an RBI single from Rokie Tenorio.

Craig Aguon started the fire with a one-out triple and was driven home by Tenorio before Juan Quitugua stepped in next and bashed the second triple. Quitugua scored off an error and Jadrien Camacho kept it rolling with another triple and touched the plate off a wild pitch before Nathan Camacho capped the surge with a solo home run to right field. Camacho’s shot hit the scoreboard and bounced back in, but was deemed out of the yard.

The Philippines went 1-2-3 in the bottom frame.

Both teams came up empty in the second and CNMI went ahead, 8-0, in the third off three hits and a walk.

Quitugua led off with another triple and was singled in by Jadrien Camacho, who scored himself off a couple of wild pitches.

Allen Cepeda later drew a walk and was doubled home by Nathan Camacho.

The Philippines managed a hit in the bottom half, but never touched second base.

CNMI then clinched the two runs needed to set up the early ending off two more triples by Tenorio and Jonathan Camacho, along with an RBI single by Cedrc Camacho in the top half of the fourth.

Nathan Camacho stepped back on the mound and secured the shutout. The Philippines managed a pair of hits that put runners on second and third, but was stuffed in its final stand.

Nathan Camacho gave up just three hits and notched nine strikeouts in the swift victory.

The CNMI touched third base in the top of the first inning, but Korea picked off the runner to spoil the run and took a 2-0 lead in the bottom frame off three hits and a fielder’s choice.

CNMI managed another hit, but left the man at first in the second inning.

Korea’s third batter Lee Joon Seok jacked a solo shot over the left center fence in the bottom half.

CNMI drew a blank 1-2-3 in the third and Korea galloped ahead, 7-0, in the bottom off four hits. Two batters got plunked, but Korea still went through the line up.

CNMI went three up and three down again to start the fourth, but managed to keep a lid on Korea in the bottom frame. CNMI tried to posture a comeback with two hits in the fifth, but left runners on second and third base.

Korea’s Jang Wan Seok led off with a double and scored off a passed ball in the bottom frame. Notably, CNMI’s Tenorio snagged a pair of line drives at shortstop to close the inning

Korea brought out its fifth pitcher Jun Sun Park, who closed the match in 15 pitches.

CNMI was held to just four hits for six stranded runners.

Meanwhile, after the CNMI-Hong Kong tiff today, Guam will take on Korea at 11am in the other Pool B match. In Pool A, Thailand will challenge Australia at 8:30am; Singapore will face Taiwan at 11:30am; and Indonesia will meet New Zealand at 1:30pm.