Braves frustrate Falcons, 12-10

Tristan Norita hurls for the Braves during the top of the fifth inning of their game against the Falcons in the Major division of the 2017 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The race for the pennant in the Major division of the 2017 Saipan Little League Baseball is still open following the Braves’ 12-10 victory over the Falcons last Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

With the win, the Braves improved to a 9-2 record and another triumph in their last game (versus the Twins) this weekend would put the team in a tie for first place with the Falcons, who are done for the regular season with their 10-2 card. Had the Falcons won, they would have sealed the pennant championship and ended the Braves’ hopes. A Braves and Falcons’ deadlock at the end of the regular season will force organizer to hold a playoff game for the pennant.

Patrick Celis blasted a two-run homer at the bottom of the fifth inning to lift the Braves to the important win and keep the squad in contention for the pennant. The Braves scored three runs earlier before Celis’ over-the-fence homer in the pivotal inning.

The Braves, who were behind by three, 7-10, going into the bottom of the fifth, got their first run in that frame from relief pitcher and leadoff batter Tristan Norita off the Falcons’ errors. The second run was made by Andrei Iguel, who was driven home by Joel Boja’s single. Taisei Desebel was next at bat and was beaten to first, while Heath Camacho doubled and brought home Borja to tie the match, 10-all. Camacho also reached after power hitter Celis nailed a homer at deep centerfield and gave the Braves the lead, 12-10. The Falcons then stopped the bleeding when catcher Mike Tomokane tagged out Jylan Sablan while the latter was running home and pitcher Jonathan Renguul struck out Angelo Igitol.

After the needed defensive stops, the Falcons were next pressed to work on their offense as they must score at least two runs to continue the game.

Alex Yaguel led off for the Falcons and walked, while Achilles Evangelista was fanned out by Norita. The Falcons were then called for the second out as Yaguel was beaten to second after Noah Aguon singled. Aguon went on to move to second off a wild throw and then to third off a passed ball, while Joey Sharry singled. With runners on third and first, Tomokane stepped onto the plate and was called with two quick strikeouts and a walk before hitting a short shot with the ball rolling and dropping just a few steps away from Braves first baseman Sablan. Sablan then stepped on the base to beat Tomokane for the third and final out and the Braves’ ninth win.

Camacho and Borja scored three runs apiece in the Braves’ close victory with the former adding two RBIs off his 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Celis, who made a grand slam in their important triumph over the Little Legals last Thursday, was only 2-for-4 at bat, but tallied three RBIs and two runs. Norita and Iguel also chipped in two runs each.

Keoni Serrano had three runs on a losing effort for the Falcons, while C.J. Gonzales contributed one run and three RBIs. Gonzales’ three-run triple at the top of the fourth allowed the Falcons to take an 8-3 advantage after three and a half innings. However, the Falcons failed to keep the upper had as the Braves proved to be steadier at bat in the last two innings to steal the win. Camacho, Sablan, and Celis each went 2-for-2 for the Braves in the last two innings and combined for six RBIs.