Softball teams take center stage

Players of the IP&E-sponsored Astig Futsal pose for a group photo before their game against IT&E last week in the SSC futsal summer league at the TSL Sports Complex. (Contributed Photo)

With basketball leagues concluding and CNMI athletes returning from off-island tournaments, it was the local softball teams’ turn to make headlines last week.

The playoff round in Chamolinian Softball Association’s 2nd Budweiser Softball League was the talk of the town with the men’s division down to two teams by last Friday. Last year’s runner-up Natibu battled first finalist Your Balls in the men’s championship.

In the women’s division, defending champion Sakudi dueled 670 Babes, while Elias and Talu Fahn squared off in the “Bottom Six” finale. Elias and Talu Fahn failed to make it to the Top 8 after the regular season in the men’s division and were forced to play in a separate single-elimination playoffs with four other squads. Elias went on to top the “Bottom Six” after beating Talu Fahn in the finals, 15-11, last Thursday at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

Over at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield, the Aces notched back-to-back wins after stunning the league-leading Saipan Stevedore Yankees, 9-2, during their game in the Saipan Major League. The win was a fitting follow-up of the Aces’ hard-earned 4-2 triumph over the St. Michael Angels. Also winning last week were the Tan Holdings Brewers against the D-9ers, 17-1.

In soccer, the 2012 Saipan Soccer School Summer Futsal League returned to action at the TSL Sports Complex after a weeklong break with three teams winning separate matches at the resumption of the competition.

Shirley’s Coffee Shop and Xerox won in the women’s game, while Godfather’s prevailed in the men’s division. Also recording victories last week were the IP&E-sponsored Astig Futsal both in the boys U14 and U18 divisions, Baked Girls in the women’s field, and men’s league-leader and undefeated Wild Bill’s.

Meanwhile, two races were held last week with Hyatt Regency Saipan holding a 10K and marathon and Mieko Carey and Saipan Swim Club hosting a kids triathlon.

Visiting boxer Daniel Ramirez topped the men’s division 10K event of Hyatt Run For A Cause, while Akiko Miller reigned in the women’s category. In half marathon, Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel and Mamiko Oshima-Berger emerged the top placers in their respective divisions.

In the kids triathlon held around the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi, 14 participated and all completed the weekend race.