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Blue Jays romp past Marlins
Blue Jays players pay their respects to the CNMI flag as the Commonwealth anthem is played during the opening of the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball early this month at the Capitol Hill Ballfield. (Contributed Photo)
The Blue Jays crushed the Kagman Marlins anew, 27-0, in the Minors division game in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capitol Hill Ballfield.
The Blue Jays, who also routed the defending champions during the season-opening match, 18-5, were even deadlier in their second outing as they shut down the Marlins and earned the decision after only three innings.
A backbreaking 19-run top of the third inning allowed the Blue Jays to close out the game early. The Minors division is played in only four innings and the Blue Jays took the win via the 10-run mercy rule.
The Blue Jays collected one run after another in the pivotal top of the third inning after capitalizing on the Marlins’ errors, especially from the mound. The Blue Jays scored eight runs off wild pitches and two players on their top of the order went at bat four times in the third inning alone and each made it home on three occasions, while two others batted and scored three times. David Apatang batted twice with his second at bat resulting to a two-run double and he also contributed two runs in the Blue Jays’ juggernaut. Payton Pangelinan was at the plate to bat for the fourth time and finally, the Marlins got the third out, but the damage had been done and the Blue Jays quickly wrapped up the one-sided game in the next inning with pitcher M.J. Sablan striking out the first three batters from the defending champions.
Sablan worked the mound in no relief and threw a one-hitter (a single from John Fred). The Blue Jays pitcher started his shift by fanning the Marlins’ first three batters at the bottom of the first inning. Then in the second inning, with runners on second and third base, Sablan struck out Oliver Pauling for the third out. Earlier, Sablan tagged out at home leadoff batter Austin Camacho, while the Blue Jays pitcher fanned second batter Kyler Laniyo.
The Blue Jays ace, besides his steady performance on the mound, delivered four runs—two in the third inning. Randell Rogolifoi led the Blue Jays with his five runs, while Ethan Salalila and Dane Mangarero registered four apiece.
