IPI Masters blast Papa Bears

GSM Cubs pitcher A.J. Lizama, left, walks back to the mound after having a brief talk with team manager A.J. Murig in this file photo taken during their 10-inning game against the Pirates last Oct. 17 at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field. (Jon Perez)

Mel Sakisat pitched a complete game, including three scoreless innings, to lead the IPI Masters to a 25-3 demolition of the Papa Bears in the Masters division of the Saipan Baseball League last Monday night at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

Sakisat limited the Papa Bears to five hits and was tagged with one earned run with no walks and six strikeouts.

Ralph Yumul, John Acosta, and Phil Celis provided the offensive punch for the Masters all game long.

Yumul went 4-for-5, all singles, while scoring four runs and three RBIs. Acosta also had four singles in his six times at the plate, and made three runs and three RBIs. Celis, 3-for-5, had a triple and two RBIs while touching home plate four times.

Benji Fitial scored two runs in the first and fifth inning for the Papa Bears, while Henry Casper added one more in the shortened game. Fitial doubled in the first, stole second, and was safe at home on a fielding error by Jeff Sablan. He again reached base on an error by the IPI Masters and rushed toward home on a single by Glen Camacho. Casper, meanwhile, walked and stole second base before scoring on a throwing error by catcher Robert Repeki.

The win by the Masters against the Papa Bears eased the pain of their 14-15 loss to last year’s finalist Saisei last week.

Ray Renguul led Saisei’s victory after going 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, and one run.

In other results, the Pirates squeezed out a 4-3 win over the Falcons in a pitching duel last Oct. 26 in the Under-25 league,

Frankie Lieto and J.J. Lifoifoi shared the duty on the mound for the Pirates with the latter closing out the contest by pitching a no-hitter for three innings with no runs, giving up two walks, and retiring six batters. Lieto started for the Pirates and allowed four unearned runs on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

The Pirates also won by default against the Blue Jays last Saturday, Oct. 28, while in the other U25 game last Oct. 24, the GSM Cubs defeated the Blue Jays, 3-1.

The GSM Cubs’ Joe Lizama threw a one-hitter for six innings with no earned runs while fanning six and walking three. Dominic Yumul scored the Blue Jays’ lone run against Lizama.

Games in both the Masters and Under-25 leagues have been on and off due to the unpredictable weather.