CNMI Seniors dominate Indonesia, 15-1

  HAGATNA, Guam-The CNMI Senior All-Stars pelted five Indonesian (0-2) pitchers for a solid 15-1 victory in Day 2 of the 2012 Senior Asia Pacific Regional Tournament yesterday at the Paseo Stadium.

The CNMI took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning off an RBI single by Ray Saralu and an RBI walk with the bases loaded.

Leadoff-hit batsman Lancaster Secharmidal came in to score and A.J. Lizama hit his way on before completing a lap around the path.

The CNMI added two runs in the second inning off some errors and an RBI base knock by Lizama. Indonesia mustered its lone run in the bottom frame off a fielder’s choice.

The CNMI shrugged it off and stamped five runs on the board in the top of the third inning.

Jeffrey Lizama drove in Cedric Ada and a couple of costly walks enabled a pair of RBI base smashes by Frankie Camacho and A.J. Lizama. The duo also weaseled around to score off some pitches in the dirt before Indonesia could escape.

The CNMI then took a 14-1 lead in the fourth inning off three hits with the help of three more walks by a wild opposing pitching staff.

Jun Rabauliman cracked a hit and scored off an error as his teammates moved him around and load the bases, which were soon cleared by a booming double by A.J. Lizama. Steven Cabrera also bagged an RBI in the mix and drove in Rabauliman for the final run in the fifth inning.

Third batter A.J. Lizama was a one-man wrecking crew, finishing 4-for-4 with five RBIs, two runs, and three stolen bases.

CNMI starting pitcher Frankie Lieto gave up one unearned run, a hit, and a walk through three innings and closer Davin Ada struck out five to slam the door.

Aside from the CNMI and Indonesia, also competing in the Senior League regionals are China (0-2), Guam (0-1), New Zealand, the Philippines (1-0), and Thailand (0-1).New Zealand (1-0) just finished rustling Indonesia, 17-2, in Wednesday’s opener and took on China (0-2) yesterday afternoon. The Philippines (1-0) outlasted Guam (1-1), 7-6, in Thursday’s opening pairing.

The CNMI Senior All-Stars face China today at 9am, while its Big League counterparts collide with Guam (0-1) at 5:15pm. Last Wednesday, the Philippines (1-0) outlasted the host team, 4-1.

The CNMI Big League All-Stars, for its part, closed the day against the Philippines yesterday; results will be released tomorrow.

In Vietnam, the CNMI Junior All-Stars finished second place behind Taipei after toppling Indonesia, 8-2, on Wednesday. They faced off with third-ranked Philippines in yesterday night’s 6pm (Vietnam time) semifinal; results will be released once received. Taipei took on Indonesia in Thursday’s opener.

The Junior League championship takes place tonight at 5pm preceded by the consolation match.

The Junior League ASPAC is being held in Nha Trang City, Vietnam. Hong Kong Indonesia and the host team make up the rest of the field.

The CNMI Major League All Stars (1-1), meanwhile, clashed with Korea (2-0) yesterday at Wen Shiao Field in Taichung, Taipei and results of that match is expected to be released tomorrow as well.

Australia (2-0), Thailand (1-2), and Indonesia (0-3) are included with the CNMI Major League All-Stars in Pool B, while Pool A features host team Taipei (3-0), Hong Kong (2-0), the Philippines (1-2), Guam (0-2), and New Zealand (0-2).

The CNMI Major League All-Stars finish up its pool play round today against Indonesia at 2pm.

The Top 2 teams of each pool advance to tomorrow’s semifinals and the champion will be crowned on Sunday.

By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter