CNMI sluggers triumph in Pacific Games

 After an inconsistent performance in the elimination round of the baseball competition, the CNMI capped its bid in the 2011 Pacific Games with a bang, winning the gold medal in New Caledonia.

The CNMI sluggers, who finished the round-robin play with a 3-2 record and were the last team to make it to the playoffs, won three games in two days to rule the six-team baseball competition. The Commonwealth first defeated New Caledonia, 11-5, and then blanked Palau in the semifinals, 8-0, to advance to the championship against Guam. The CNMI went on to nail an 8-4 victory in the finals against Guam to win the gold medal and avenge its 5-6 loss against its neighbor in the elimination.

The CNMI Baseball Team is composed of Joshua Jones, Juan Maratita, Eric Tenorio, Ian Rogolifoi, Keoni Lizama, Mike Iguel, Vince Cepeda, Elton Santos, Jesus Iguel, Tyrone Omar, Franco Flores, Thomas Joab, Jerome Delos Santos, Byron Kaipat, Manny Sablan, Craig Sanchez. Tony Rogolifoi managed the squad, while Saipan Major League Baseball president Rose Igitol joined the team in New Caledonia.

The 2011 Pacific Games gold medalists were scheduled to return home early this morning.

Besides baseball, the CNMI also competed in athletics, beach volleyball, and golf in New Caledonia. The Commonwealth golfers and spikers missed making it to the medal podium in the 2011 Pacific Games. In athletics, Rachel Abrams made it to the 200m finals, while Dexter Dillay and Trevor Ogomuro had decent showings in their respective events.

In local competitions, on-going leagues here continued.

In the Blue Haus caging at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court, Cell Pro, MBI, and Sherwin Williams survived their respective playoff assignments.

Over at the TSL Sports Complex, Cabalen/Noni and VisMinda/Satbahi won in separate games in the UFO Bud Cup caging, while the masters division of the Docomo Cup saw MDX/Armatech and Cabalen/Wings Travel absorb their first loss. Cabalen/Wings Travel first bowed to MDX, which then fell to VisMinda/PIAHI. These three teams are now tied for the masters lead with their similar 3-1 records.

Still at the TSL Sports Complex, the Rotary caging had its U19 and U15 games last week with Hi-5, Sonics, and Ol’Aces winning in the older age group and the 670 Rollers prevailing in the U15 division.

Two more competitions took place at the TSL Sports Complex-the 2011 Saipan Soccer School Futsal League and the opening of the 2011 Shirley’s Badminton Classic.

In the futsal league, Wild Bill’s downed Go Green for their 11th win in 12 games to clinch the men’s championship early. Shirley’s A and B, and IT&E Awesome also won last week to boost their title bid for the women’s division.

In the Shirley’s Classic, competitions in the nine mixed doubles divisions kicked off with familiar faces taking the early lead in their respective group.