Falcons catch last flight to playoffs

The Falcons exchange high and low fives after scoring six runs at the top of the second inning of their playoff game against Titanium for final semis seat in the 2017 Saipan Baseball League last Friday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Falcons completed the semis cast in the 2017 Saipan Baseball League after surviving Titanium, 7-4, in a playoff game last Friday night at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

A six-run top of the second inning allowed the Falcons to gain control of the match early and they kept the driver’s seat and the important win after limiting Titanium to one run in the first seven innings and holding their ground against the latter’s late rally.

After neither squad scored in the first inning, the Falcons jumped to a 6-0 advantage at the top of the pivotal second inning behind the two-RBI single to deep centerfield by first baseman Bradley Lieto. Ian Norita also let go a single to centerfield, bringing A.J. Evangelista home, while Frankie Lieto and J.J. Lifoifoi reached off Titanium’s throwing errors. J.J. Lifoifoi also made it home off a sacrifice out from R.J. Riungel.

After their defensive lapses, Titanium also struggled on its offense as it countered with only one run at the bottom of the second inning with Brian Camacho’s single driving Jerald Cabrera home. Titanium then went without a run in the next five innings, no thanks to Peter Lieto’s steady performance at the mound for the Falcons.

Lieto, who started his shift by accidentally hitting Titanium leadoff batter Lucio Kalen, allowed only five hits in six innings and had eight strikeouts. With him on the mound, the Falcons forced Titanium to 1-2-3 inning in the first and third and no more than six players from the losing squad were able to bat.

Lieto was eventually replaced by J.J. Lifoifoi early in the sixth inning and the former went on to bat for the Falcons at the top of the seventh and scored off Titanium’s error at third base for their 7-1 lead.

Titanium then finally ended its silence at the bottom of the eighth off Nathan Camacho’s RBI single and the squad had a chance to earn more runs with Camacho making it to third and Jack Sablan at first off a fielder’s choice with two outs. However, the Falcons got the needed stop in the ensuing play when rightfielder Riungel caught a fly from Jon Deleon Guerrero. Earlier at the bottom of the seventh, Titanium was also in scoring position, but Frankie Lifoifoi got the fly from Jon Delos Reyes, leaving Pat Tenorio stranded at third.

A quick 1-2-3 inning of the Falcons at the top of the ninth gave Titanium a slim chance to mount a comeback and the latter needed five runs to bring the playoff game to extra innings. However, it fell three runs short as after Ken Kalen scored off a Falcons error and Lucio Kalen’s sacrifice out brought Joe Palacios home, Titanium was called for the third and final out when Bradley Lieto caught Jhace Palacios’ fly. Earlier, Tenorio led off for Titanium and flied out, too at centerfield.

With the victory, the Falcons earned the right to challenge pennant champion and unbeaten Go See Mark in the best-of-five semis series. Game 1 of the Falcons-GSM Final Four showdown will be played tonight, while BSI Aces and defending champions Chalan Kanoa Bears will start their own semis series tomorrow.