BSI Aces win opener in SBL finals series

The BSI Aces’ Jesus Iguel practices his swing while waiting for his turn at bat during Game 2 of their semis series against the Chalan Kanoa Bears in the 2017 Saipan Baseball League last week at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The BSI Aces drew first blood against the Falcons after posting a 9-3 victory in Game 1 of their finals series in the 2017 Saipan Baseball League Monday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The BSI Aces were on target in the first five innings to take control of the series opener and complemented their early offense with a strong defense, limiting the Falcons to no more than one run in each of the three innings the latter made it to the board.

Back-to-back three runs (third and fourth inning) turned the BSI Aces’ precarious 2-1 lead to an 8-2 advantage and they kept the safe distance after holding the Falcons to one run in the last five innings. Mike Iguel had a two-run double at the bottom of the fourth and also scored off a Falcons error in the fourth and in the third from brother Jesus’ RBI walk. The BSI Aces’ two other runs in the third inning also came off RBI walks, while the first two runs were courtesy of Ben Jones’ RBI single each. A solo homer from Nokkie Saralu at the bottom of the fifth inning gave the BSI Aces their last run.

The Falcons, on the other hand, scored one run off Damien Pua’s RBI double in the first; Peter Lieto made it home in the fourth off a sacrifice fly; and Henry Iguel’s double brought J.J. Lifoifoi home in the seventh inning. The Falcons were then called for 1-2-3 in the last two innings, allowing the BSI Aces to take Game 1.

Dave Camacho closed out for the BSI Aces and gave up only two hits in the three innings he worked the mound, while starter Peter Tenorio yielded three.

The BSI Aces and Falcons arranged their best-of-five title showdown after sweeping their respective opponents. The Falcons, the last semis qualifiers, were the first to make it to the finals after completing an upset over pennant champion and erstwhile undefeated Go See Mark with a 6-5 victory last Wednesday. The BSI Aces then duplicated the Falcons’ feat after downing 2016 champion Chalan Kanoa Bears in Game 2 last Thursday, 11-8.

A six-run top of the ninth inning helped the BSI Aces dethrone and eliminate the Bears, who clung to a 6-5 lead after eight complete innings. At the top of the ninth, the BSI Aces got two quick runs off the Bears’ errors, while the four others were from two sacrifice flies, wild pitch, and an RBI walk.

Now behind, 11-6, the Bears remained in contention when their first two runners made it home of a sacrifice fly and fielder’s choice with two outs. However, the BSI Aces would not be denied as closer Mike Iguel fanned out Henry Lizama to end the short semis series.

Meanwhile, Game 2 of the finals series will be played today, while Game 3 is set for Friday.