Celis, Omar tow Brewers back to finals

Roy Celis tossed two shutout innings while Tyron Omar had an RBI single in the GSM Brewers’ 5-2 win over the IP&E Fielders in the playoffs of the 2015 Saipan Baseball League last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Baseball Field.

Byron Kaipat of the GSM Brewers wait for the throw of IP&E Fielders pitcher Joe Palacios in Game 2 of their best-of-three semifinals match last Wednesday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Baseball Field. Roy Celis, inset, tossed two shutout innings to seal the Brewers’ win.
(Jon Perez)

Celis closed out for the Brewers and needed only a combined seven pitches in the bottom of the ninth to end the Fielders’ postseason run via a two-game sweep of their best-of-three semis series.

The Brewers clinched the first championship berth and now wait for the winner of the Falcons-Saipan Stevedore Yankees playoffs series for their finals opponent. Game 1 of the finals, if the Fielders and Yankees play a third game, begins on April 13.

The Falcons will try to close out their own series against the Yankees on Monday, April 6. Game 3, if necessary, will be played on April 8, Wednesday.

Celis, a 2014 Micronesian Games silver medalist, came in at the bottom of the eighth replacing strikeout king Vince Cepeda, who pitched 2.1 innings in relief. He had a quick two innings on the mound.

Celis, in the bottom of the ninth, forced Cody Kaipat and Ron Whylre to fly out to center fielder Omar for quick two outs—throwing a combined three pitches against the two batters. He tossed four pitches before striking out Tom Guerrero to end the game.

Omar, meanwhile, made his heroics in the top of the ninth, and the score tied at 2-2. He had an RBI single, with one out, to left-center field to bring in Jesse Brel.

Jun Rabauliman, who walked, also crossed home plate on Guerrero’s fielding error, with Omar reaching third base in the process.

Omar made the Brewers’ last run on another Fielders error. Celis then came in the bottom of the ninth and shutdown the Fielders.

Omar went 3-for-5 with one run and two RBIs, while Marvin Kaipat scored once on a 2-for-4 appearance at the plate. Byron Kaipat had a double in the top of the eighth going 2-for-5.

Leonard Sablan started for the Brewers and lasted for 4.2 innings surrendering one earned run on two hits with one strikeout and two walks, while Cepeda was tagged with one earned run on four hits with no walks and no strikeouts in 2.1 innings in relief.

Joe Palacios had a no-relief job on the mound for the Fielders giving up three earned runs on 13 hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Kaipat and Verlance Secharmidal scored the Fielders’ two runs in the fifth and sixth innings.