Falcons extend streak to four

Defending champions Falcons won the battle of unbeaten teams in the Major division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball League, thwarting IT&E, 8-5, last Saturday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

The victory was the fourth in a row for the Falcons and put them in a tie for first place with Comets I (pending results of last Sunday and Monday’s games). IT&E dropped to third with a 3-1 card.

The division co-leader gained crucial three runs at the bottom of the sixth inning to foil IT&E’s comeback bid. IT&E moved within one after five innings, 4-5, as it scored in the third to fifth innings after a shutout in the first two innings. Jaime Pangelinan put IT&E on the board with a run off an error from Falcons shortstop Aven Evangelista at the bottom of the third, while Philip Kapileo hit an out-of-the-park solo homer in the fourth. The two other runs were made off a fielder’s choice and an RBI single from catcher Christopher Achas in the fifth.

Earlier at the top of the fifth, Angel Iguel gave the Falcons their fifth run when he reached home off an error at leftfield, while the defending champions’ first four runs were all recorded in the second inning. Evangelista was responsible for the two runs at the top of the second, as his single drove Herb Iguel and Zach Reyes, while the two other runs were courtesy off miscues from IT&E starting pitcher Spencer Dickinson and Achas.

The Falcons failed to keep their momentum in the next three innings after zooming to a 4-0 lead and were suddenly clinging to a one-run lead, which they later stretched to four after five and a half innings, 4-8. Justin Cangco blasted an RBI single for the Falcons at the top of the last inning, while the two other runs were delivered off an IT&E wild pitch and error at third base.

Down, but definitely not out, IT&E boosted its chances of mounting another comeback when Kyle Kapileo led off, nailed a double, and reached home off Philip Kapileo’s single with one out. Philip Kapileo then attempted to steal second base, but was caught for the second out and after a fielder’s choice, the unbeaten Falcons got the final out with Max Pangelinan catching a grounder from Jose Camacho.

Comets I also remained undefeated after making short work of the Red Sox.

The Comets needed only five innings to beat the Red Sox, who were held to only three hits by pitcher Francisco Frederick. Frederick also gave up no earned runs and struck out seven batters.

While struggling against the Comets I pitcher, the Red Sox were also in disarray on offense, as the latter’s errors allowed the former to score two runs each in the second, third, and fourth inning. Comets I then increased the advantage to twin digits, 11-0 after registering four earned runs at the top of the fifth. Sebastian Saures connected on two-run single, while Tyrone Ongelungel and Frederick hit RBI singles to pad Comet I’s lead and leave the Red Sox with a tough task of overhauling a big deficit.

The Red Sox were not up to the challenge, as they only notched two runs off Comets I’s errors at second base.

The Rockies completed last Saturday’s winner’s circle, as they whipped the Ol’Aces.

The 34 runs were the most so far this season, not only in the Major division, but also in the entire league.

The Rockies earned the win via mercy rule after only four innings. They saved the best for last, firing 14 runs at the top of the fourth. The Rockies started off with six runs at the top of the first, five in the second, and nine in the third. Most of the runs were recorded off the Ol’Aces’ defensive lapses.