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Falcons, Brewers shoot down foes as playoffs start
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Posted on Jul 24 2023
Blue Jays third baseman Kyle Foreman catches a throw from the catcher a nick too late as a Falcons baserunner stole third base safely during their playoff game in the 2023 Tan Holdings-Saipan Baseball League last Thursday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. (LEIGH GASES)
The Falcons and Brewers shot down their foes in the start of the single elimination playoff games of the 2023 Tan Holdings-Saipan Baseball League season at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The long-awaited playoffs finally started last Thursday after many delays as the Falcons swooped the Blue Jays out of contention, 12-2, while the Brewers put up a good fight against the CK Bears, 10-7, last Friday.
The No. 4 seed Brewers and No. 5 seed Bears brought their A-games as it was a rollercoaster 10-inning fight to the finish.
Tied at seven apiece in the ninth inning, the nail-biter game went into extra innings and the Brewers stamped their ticket to the next round when they scored three unanswered runs for the win.
Shane Mallens made it on base and came home on a single by Verlance Secharmidal. Secharmidal then came home on a defensive error by the Bears as Kyle Hocog was in scoring position.
Franko Nakamura hit the third run in from a single and reached third base on an error, but that was all the damage they could do, which was enough as the Bears could not reply in their next at-bat.
The No. 3 seed Falcons blew the No. 6 seed Blue Jays out of the air in a one-sided game.
It was a game marred with many defensive errors that the Falcons capitalized on and the Blue Jays could not dig themselves out of the hole they dug.
After four scoreless innings, the Blue Jays finally scored in the fifth on an RBI single by Beferson Atan. Nate Torres scored their second and last run in the next inning.
By the sixth inning, the Falcons had scored five runs and were looking for more. They then scored six runs after the hungry lineup that made seven hits which scored six runs. Ian Norita had a perfect night as he went 4-4 at-bats and scored two runs, while Benen went 3-4 with one RBI and two runs.
The only playoff games left are between the Falcons and the No. 2 seed Junior Nationals; and the Brewers vs. the No. 1 seed Cardinals. Winners of those games will face off in the championship round that is yet to be scheduled.
The playoffs will be on hold to make way for the 2023 SBL-UOG Baseball Friendship Tournament from tomorrow, July 25, to Friday, July 28.
