Previous Story
Fielders are Big League champs
Keola Camacho tossed 6 1/3 innings in relief while Verlance Secharmidal had an RBI walk to lift the IT&E Fielders to a 6-5 win over the Natibu Sports Association Braves in the finals of the Big League division of the Saipan Little League on Tuesday night at the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
The IT&E Fielders celebrate their come-from-behind win over the Braves in the Big League division of the Saipan Little League Tuesday night at the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
(Jon Perez)
Camacho gave up two runs, both unearned, on four hits while striking out six and no walks.
Camacho, with the Fielders hanging on to a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh, gave up a lead-off single to Frankie Lieto, who found a gap between the second base and centerfield, for the Braves’ tying run.
The Fielders’ defense, however, stepped up and made two quick outs in the next play.
Camacho forced Darrion Jones to a grounder to first baseman Cedric Ada, who quickly made the throw to Zack Yamagishi, who tagged a charging Lieto to complete the double play.
Camacho then faced Braves designated hitter Ray Saralu with two outs. His first pitch was a strike but threw three consecutive balls. It went to a full count after Saralu had a foul tip in Camacho’s fifth pitch. Pandemonium erupted after Saralu struck out swinging.
The Fielders, trailing 5-4 after five complete innings, scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth aided by three errors by the Braves.
Ada led off the top of the sixth with a fly out to left fielder Ian Norita, while Cody Kaipat whacked a triple on Jones’ first pitch.
A Kenji Yamagata grounder to second could have been the second out, but the ball bounced off Braves second baseman Frankie Lieto allowing Kaipat to score the tying run.
Yamagata, who moved to second base with the error, was picked off in the next play for out No. 2.
Fermin Renguul got on base on an Angel Palacios error, while Zack Yamagishi had a fielder’s choice and Camacho loaded up the bases on another Braves error, this time by A.J. Evangelista.
J.J. Lifoifoi, who replaced Jones when Renguul was up to bat, walked Secharmidal with Renguul scoring the go-ahead run.
