Bears move closer to finals sweep

Jeffrey Lizama pitches the Chalan Kanoa Bears to a Game 2 win over the BSI Aces in their title series in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League last Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Chalan Kanoa Bears are a win away from wrapping up the finals series in the 2016 Saipan Baseball League following a 4-3 victory against the BSI Aces in Game 2 last Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

Game 3 of the best-of-five championship showdown was played yesterday and results were unavailable at press time.

Jeffrey Lizama pitched the Bears into the Game 2 win as he worked the mound in eight innings and allowed only five hits and two earned runs. On offense, Kiku Lizama paced the Bears, as went 3-for-4 at bat and scored two RBIs, which allowed his team to grab the upper hand and never lost it to move closer to the title.

Kiku hit a two-run double at the top of the second inning to break the deadlock, 4-2. Earlier in that inning Jose Lizama blasted an RBI single to put the Bears on the board and slice the BSI Aces’ lead to one, 1-2. A Jerome Delos Santos run off a fielder’s choice tied the match, 2-2.

The BSI Aces got their two runs at the bottom of the first with Virgil Secharmidal and Lamarc Iguel scoring off the Bears’ errors at first and third base, respectively. The Aces went on to lose the early lead, as they were shutdown in the next four innings. The Bears’ defense stranded five BSI Aces runners from the second to fifth inning, while Jeffrey Lizama struck out three batters.

Despite missing their target, the BSI Aces remained in contention as they also held their own on defense with the Bears failing to light up the board in the remaining innings after a four-run top of the second. The BSI Aces forced the Bears to 1-2-3 innings on five occasions, including at the top of the ninth and last inning to boost their chances to tie the series.

The top of the ninth ended with the Bears hanging on to a one-run lead as earlier at the bottom of the sixth, the BSI Aces got their third run with pitcher John Tudela making it home off a sacrifice out from Mike Iguel.

Mike’s brother, Luis then led off for the BSI Aces at the bottom of the last inning, walked, and advanced to second off a Bears error before being tagged out at third for the second out. The BSI Aces were charged with the first out when Bears closer A.J. Lizama struck out Secharmidal. A.J. came in for Jeffrey after Luis walked and the former started his shift by giving up a single to second batter Juan Iguel. Juan eventually moved to second after Lamarc advanced to third off a fielder’s choice. However, the Iguel siblings were left stranded and the BSI Aces failed to tie the series when Bears shortstop Kiku Lizama caught a fly from Ben Jones to end the game and hand the pennant champions a 2-0 lead in the finals series.