Four-peat for Braves as they rally to Majors title

The Braves have continued to solidify their reign in the Majors Division of Saipan Little League Baseball with their fourth consecutive championship following the abbreviated 2026 season.

With a rainy start to championship round day on Saturday, June 20, the finals were played before the third-place game, with the Braves taking on the Dodgers. It was an epic comeback for the Braves, as down 0-4, they rose from the ashes to eventually clinch the title, 7-4, at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Softball Field.

The Braves put their rally caps on in the third inning, as Roque Camacho got things rolling with a walk before scoring their first run. The floodgates then opened as a rush of red uniforms bombarded home plate, taking advantage of Dodgers’ defensive mishaps. Dylan Barcinas, Nathan Nekai, D. Sablan, and Chance Reyes all scored as the Braves surged to a 5-4 lead.

The Dodgers managed to stop the bleeding, but their bats came up empty in the final innings. The Braves, on the other hand, added another run in the fourth inning through leadoff hitter Lennox Sablan to make it 6-4. Their final run came as Reyes scored again, giving the Braves extra insurance runs and led, 7-4.

In the Dodgers’ final at bat, the Braves made light work and got two easy outs. However, a shot to center field had Dodgers in scoring position at third base. But, facing the last batter, the Braves pitcher got the final out with a popup to short—handing the Braves the title.

The Braves lineup include Chance Reyes, Damian Sablan, Derrick Sablan, Dylan Barcinas, Jayden Basiou, Jesus Cabrera II, Lennox Sablan, Nathan Nekai, Nathaniel Neth, Roque Camacho, Sasuke Castro, and Sean Pierce Herman.

The Dodgers were Benz Santos, Carlos Rivera Jr., Desmond Babauta, Elijah Pelisamen, Jo’ell Herman, John Cabrera, Joshua McDonald, Logan Palacios, Lyle Muna, Quinton Muna, Rockson Cabrera, Vincent Castro, and Zachary Scaliem.

Third place went to the Cubs as they beat the Cobras, 11-3.

After the game and before an ice bath from the players, the team’s manager, Nicolas Nekai Jr. was interviewed and said, “I’ve had these boys since they were 9 [years old]. Every day, every week, every year, we put in work, we strive to get this championship, and I’m glad we got the fourth one.”

“We work on everything—conditioning, defense, offense, mental game too,” he said. “We make sure the boys are prepared for every kind of scenario—whether it’s mental game, physical game, or if the game gets deep, and pressure’s on. Congrats to the Dodgers—they did put that pressure on us early, but we did come back and we did win the game and I’m very proud of the outcome.”

As for the shortened season, he said, “short season, but it was great. Even though the boys didn’t get to fully display what they trained for and everything, the Saipan Little League board still managed to get these boys to play regardless of the typhoon. Big round of applause for them and everybody who made it happen.”