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Kagman fends off Southern in opener
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Posted on Apr 06 2012
By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter
Reporter
Defending champion Kagman High School started the 2011-2012 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Girls Fast-Pitch Softball League with a 13-10 victory over the resilient Saipan Southern High School last Wednesday at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.
The Lady Ayuyus worked out an early lead and went on to hold off a last-inning rally from the Lady Rays to win the opening game of the season.
The visiting Kagman broke the ice with two runs in the opening frame from errors, but Southern pulled ahead, 3-2, in the bottom frame of a base rip by Tara Ramon mixed in with some shaky pitching.
The Lady Ayuyus then assumed control, 7-3, in the top of the second inning off hits by Jenny Dela Cruz, Jeromalyn Santos, and Janica Lizama and a fielder’s choice by Tracy Pelep. Southern’s Malinda John and Daylinne Joseph answered with base smashes for two runs in the bottom frame.
Both teams came up empty in the third inning before Kagman’s top of the order surged ahead, 13-5, in the top half of the fourth off five hits. Lizama, Pelep, Acha Sakisat, Zerah Castro, Andrea Camacho, and Dela Cruz all came to home plate.
This season, matches are formatted with seven innings, however due to time and light constraints, officials informed Southern that the bottom half of the fourth frame was going to be the Lady Rays’ final chance to come from behind.
Southern bit down with its back against the wall, as Annalisa Blas, Tamleen Ada-Hocog, Jinky Kintaro, and Joseph all reached and scored to start the inning, but the Lady Rays only managed one more run from Jovanna Okaruru before Kagman finally closed the last out.
The 10 runs scored under the watch of winning pitcher Castro came off five hits and seven walks. She tallied six strikeouts through four innings.
Kagman’s Santos batted 2-for-3 with a run.
The season continues on Wednesday at the “Tan Ge” pitch with Kagman taking on the Marianas High School Lady Dolphins at 4pm.
