Queens of Diamond dominates first softball game

Team Sufa poses for a photo during the first day of the Budweiser Belau Amateur Softball Association Softball League last Sunday at the Dandan Softball Field.(LEIGH GASES)

During the first Sunday of the Budweiser Belau Amateur Softball Association, crowds of families and friends gathered at the Dandan Softball Field for two games between the women’s teams and five games between the men’s teams, for a total of seven games played.

The first game of the day was between the women’s teams 670 Babes versus Queens of Diamond, which the latter won by the blowout score of 15-0.

The first at-bat for the game and home team, Queens of Diamond, was a home run by Kianu Aldan, followed by runs scored from two more batters, “Baby K” and Bert Camacho, for a score of 3-0 in the first inning.

The 670 Babes’ first three batters—Catalina Dela Cruz, Tiah Camacho, and Lizann Deleon Guerrer—were unable to retaliate as they were shut down for three outs in a row.

In the second inning, the Queens of Diamond scored another four runs courtesy of Kianu Aldan once again, “Baby K,” Erin Mendiola, and Keolani Rios to widen the lead 7-0. In the third inning, Allanah Sablan scored one more run for an 8-0 lead.

In the fourth and final inning, the 670 Babes came up empty as the Queens put up seven more runs from seven of their batters to win the game, 15-0.

In the other women’s game between Hotshots versus Lady Eagles, the former won 19-7. In the men’s games, Man Amigos won against 2021 defending champions Peleliu, 21-7; Team Aimeliik lost via forfeit against Tokahao; Hagu Lamun won 6-5 versus Ngaraad Red Men; Asahi won versus Momma Charo, 19-4; and Salty Boys lost via forfeit against Sufa.

To start off the league, the opening ceremony was held at 8am to welcome all the teams participating and all the supporters who came out.

BASA thanked MarPac for sponsoring our 2022 Budweiser BASA League. The league also thanked the Saipan Mayor’s Office for the trash trailer, James Sablan of DanDan Middle School for the field usage, and Department of Public Works for helping clear the field.

“The official umpires for this season are Hector Effraim and Luis Mesa, and at the press box we have Joe Lizama as our announcer and statistician. Thank you all for your participation and your support,” said BASA.

The 2022 BASA officers are president Leo Bobai, vice president McQueen Masaharu, secretary Felisa Brel, treasurer Timberley Ngewakl, and co-treasurer Elsie Ngewakl. The board members are Poland Yamada as board chairperson, Johnvianney Tutiiy as the vice chairperson, Johnseng Shiprit as the treasurer, Hector Efraim as the secretary, and Mike Guerrero.