CNMI bows out in World Series

The CNMI’s Kianna Aldan waits for a pitch from Canada during their game in the international bracket of the World Series yesterday at the J.B. Red Owens Baseball Complex in Easley, South Carolina. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI is out of contention in the World Series following another shutout loss yesterday at the J.B. Red Owens Baseball Complex in Easley, South Carolina.

Canada showed the Commonwealth the door after cruising to an 8-0 victory in a make-or-break game at the loser’s bracket in the international group. After bowing out of the competition, the Asia Pacific champions, who fell to Latin American in their first match (0-7), now have one game left and will face Southwest (Waco Southern Litte League of Waco, Texas) on Aug. 2 (Aug. 3 on Saipan). Canada, on the other hand, will meet Europe-Africa (Emilia Romagna Little League of Bologna, Italy) today for a semis berth in the loser’s bracket.

Canada, represented by Confederation Park Little League from Edmonton, Alberta leaned on the four RBIs and 2-for-3 at bat of Saverio Hackhamn to ease past the CNMI. Landon Petiot pitched Canada to victory, as he worked the mound in full seven innings, struck out four, and gave up only three hits.

Arby Yaguel and Joel Norita pitched for the CNMI and together they yielded 10 hits. Yaguel started out for the Asia Pacific winners and was on the mound for 4.2 innings before Norita replaced him. Norita fanned four batters, while Yaguel struck out two.

In other results in the loser’s bracket of the international group, Europe-Africa remained in contention after nosing out Australia, 2-1.

In the winner’s bracket, Caribbean and Latin American will duel today with the first finals berth in the group at stake. The loser of this match will take on the winner in the Canada versus Europe-Africa tiff for the second finals ticket in the international bracket. The finals in the group will be played this Saturday (Saipan time) with the winner advancing in the World Series title match against the victor of the U.S. bracket.

Southeast (North Springs of Florida) and East (Naamans Little League of Wilmington, Delaware) will battle for the first finals berth in the U.S. group today. The loser will then meet the winner of the Central (Southern Little League of Grand Rapids Michigan) versus the host SC District 1 for the last finals ticket in the bracket. Central and SC District 1 are still in the race following the 3-2 and 2-0 wins over West (Central East Maui Little League of Wailuku, Hawaii) and Southwest, respectively.