Fielders catch Seniors title over Braves, 17-9

In an abbreviated Saipan Little League Baseball 2026 season, the intense heat of the day set the stage for an even more intense championship showdown between the Senior Division's top two teams—the Fielders and Braves, on Sunday, June 14, at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. When the dust settled as the sun finally started to set over the horizon, the Fielders were on top, 17-9 and claimed the title.

It was a heated contest from the start, with emotions running high as coaches from both teams and even a player were ejected during the game under the scorching afternoon sun. Despite the tension, both teams played with heart and determination in a season shortened by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

The Braves struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning behind Justin Garde and Aiken Norita, while the Fielders were retired in order, giving the Braves an early 2-0 lead. The Braves added another run in the second inning, but the Fielders quickly responded, exploding for a six-run second inning to take control, 6-3.

In the third, the Braves battled back, taking advantage of defensive miscues to trim the deficit to 6-4. The fourth inning proved crucial as with the temperature still soaring, so did the intensity on the field as tempers flared and both teams fought for every run. The Fielders added two more runs for an 8-4 lead, but the Braves answered in a big way, rallying to score four runs and briefly reclaim the lead, 8-7.

The Fielders, however, refused to let the momentum slip away. Kayden Lizama, Joel Cabrera, Caleb Cabrera, and Nick Sablan each crossed the plate during a four-run surge that put the Fielders back in front, 11-8.

From there, the Fielders tightened up defensively and got strong work on the mound, holding the Braves scoreless in the fifth inning. Their offense continued to stay red-hot, adding three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to build an even bigger lead.

The Braves managed one final run in the last inning, but it was not enough as the Fielders closed out the championship victory, 17-9.

Fielders manager Patrick Tenorio said of their championship win, “these teams are never easy to beat—tough, but these boys came together and pulled it off, just one inning at a time.” With the occasional tension on the field, he told the boys, “Don’t worry about what’s happening on the field—that’s our part. Their part is just to play the game and enjoy.”

As for the pause in the season for some time due to the typhoon, he said it actually refreshed the team. “It gave them a break to heal their wounds, their arms, and all that.”

Despite the season being short, he said it was great, but that it was unfortunate how there was no senior league all-star team for the Senior League Baseball Asia-Pacific Region Tournament— noting that a lot of the senior league players are really good. 

Meanwhile, if weather permits, the juniors division games are still on going with a game tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17 at 12pm, and the championship round on Saturday, June 20, at 12pm and 2pm.