Lopsided wins for Comets I, IT&E

IT&E?s Philip Kapileo reaches in for the ball, while an IP&E Rockies runner returns to first base during their game in the Major division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball at the Francisco ?Tan Ko? Palacios Ballfield last week. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Comets I and IT&E remained at the top half of the team standings in the Major division of the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball League after blowing out separate foes in make-up games last week.
Comets I clobbered the Jets, 23-0, earning the lopsided victory after only three and a half innings. With the win, Comets I retained its perfect record (6-0, pending results of last Saturday’s game against IT&E) for second place in the 15-team field behind the defending champions Falcons (6-0).

The Jets remained winless in five games, suffering another big loss after struggling against Comets I’s two pitchers. Clarence Camacho started out for Comets I and allowed only one run, while striking out five and walking one in two innings. Sebastian Saures took over in the third inning and also recorded five strikeouts and had a no-hitter.

With Camacho and Saures holding strong on the mound, the Jets made it to scoring position only once. Eldon Rife advanced to third in the second inning off a Comets I error at centerfield with two outs and runner on first, however he was left stranded, as Clarence Camacho struck out Audrey Camacho.

Clarence Camacho returned to the dugout for Saures, who finished off the Jets with a 1-3 putout play and two quick strikeouts in the third and three straight Ks in the fourth and last inning.

While the Jets failed to nail even a single run in the shortened match, Comets I had no problem with its offense. Runs came early with Comets I racking up 11 in the first inning to set up the blowout. Glenn Taro led the Comets I’s well-oiled offense, as he went 3-for-3 at bat, scored three runs and three RBIs. Jesse Taitano was also perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 and drilling four runs, while Camacho was 3-for-4 and also notched four runs and chipped in two RBIs.

IT&E 18, Twins 1

In the other make-up match last week, IT&E (6-2) nearly blanked the Twins (0-5).

Kyle Kapileo threw a one-hitter to power IT&E to the easy win. He struck out nine batters before reaching his pitching limit and was relieved by Philip Kapileo, who quickly got the third and final out to wrap up the match after three and a half innings.

Kyle Kapileo also scored three runs off a 2-for-3 performance at the plate and got two RBIs. Philip Kapileo bagged four RBIs, too, duplicating Kyle 2-for-3 clip and making one double and one triple. Philip’s double brought two runners home in the first inning IT&E earned five more runs for a 7-0 advantage.

Another seven-run production in the second inning helped IT&E pull away, while Philip added two more RBIs in the third with his triple, while the two other runs came off a wild pitch and a sacrifice out.

Little Legals 7, IP&E Rockies 2

Meanwhile, in the first game last Saturday, the Little Legals (3-3) downed IP&E Rockies (3-4).

Franklin Ogo hit an RBI double and the Little Legals got two RBIs off a walk and a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning to gain cushion against the Rockies.

Before the three-run top of the fifth, the Little Legals were ahead by only two runs, 4-2. Gloyd Martin and Pedro Maratita had a two-run single apiece in the first and second inning to put the Little Legals on top. The Rockies notched one earned run apiece in the second and fourth inning but failed to mount a comeback when they were shut out in the last two innings.

The Little Legals ended the game in style, getting a double play at the bottom of the sixth inning with third batter Keoni Lizama tagged out to second and fifth batter Tyrese Camacho beaten to first. The Rockies were called for the first out earlier with Martin throwing from home plate first for a tag out against second batter Jose Camacho.