Bears boost playoffs bid; Aces advance

The Chalan Kanoa Bears’ A.J. Lizama torques up as he waits for the pitch from the D-9ers during their game in the 2017 Saipan Baseball League last Tuesday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Chalan Kanoa Bears’ chances to move into the playoff round of the 2017 Saipan Baseball League increased following their 10-8 victory over the Saipan Stevedore D-9ers last Tuesday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The win gave the defending champions a 6-6 record for third place in the team standings, while the loss dropped the D-9ers to No. 6 with their 4-6 slate. Only the Top 4 teams will advance to the playoffs and the second Final Four seat has been taken by the BSI Aces, who improved to a second-best 10-2 slate after downing the Comets last Monday, 8-5. Go See Mark notched the first playoff berth as it remains unbeaten in 12 games, while the Falcons (5-5), Bears, D-9ers, and Titanium (5-7) are left to battle for the last two semis tickets. The Comets (3-9) and Blue Jays (1-11) are out of contention.

The Bears outhit the D-9ers in the first four innings for a 7-4 advantage and though the latter sliced the deficit two one, 7-8, after a three-run top of the fifth, the former kept the upper hand after shutting down their foes in the last three innings.

A.J. Lizama pitched for the Bears in the final three innings and with him working the mound, the D-9ers were called for back-to-back 1-2-3 in the seventh and eighth. Then at the top of the ninth, Lizama got the two quick outs, as he picked up a short shot from Jun Acosta and threw to first baseman Angel Palacios for the first out. The Bears closer next fanned out Jess Sablan, leaving Robert Tudela stranded at first. Tudela remained there and the Bears wrapped up the match after a 6-3 putout play on Isaiah Lizama.

In other results this week, the BSI Aces closed out strong to eliminate the Comets and secure a playoff spot. The BSI Aces scored six of their eight runs in the last four innings and shut down the Comets in the final two to get win No. 10.

Manny Cabrera took over the mound from John Tudela in the last two innings and struck out three Comets batters while allowing only one hit. Cabrera forced the Comets to a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth and stranded two runners in the ninth.

Meanwhile, Titanium remained in playoff contention after outclassing the Blue Jays last Friday, 11-3.

Brian Camacho was only 1-for-3 at the plate for Titanium, but scored three runs to help the team’s cause. Jhace Palacios and Pat Tenorio contributed two runs apiece and the latter made one of Titanium’s four RBIs.

Titanium set up the victory after giving up no runs to the Blue Jays in the first five innings.

Nathan Camacho was the starting pitcher for Titanium and allowed only four hits in the first five frames. His brother Brian relieved him at the top of the ninth and the older Camacho finished the job early after striking out leadoff batter J.J. Chong and third batter Ben Flores. Rightfielder Jonah Delos Reyes caught a fly ball from Virgil Secharmidal for the second out.