Home of the Braves: Sr. and Jr. division teams rally for Little League titles

It was indeed the home of the Braves as both their senior and junior league teams rallied to clinch the championships of the 2025 Saipan Little League Baseball on Saturday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

After so many rain delays, the finals wrapped up just before the end of summer, as the Braves ended it on a high note with not one—but two championships.

The Braves Sr. team hit the field first on a scorching hot morning—fitting for the intensity of their matchup against the Comets—and despite a hot start by the Comets, the Braves came back and won in a close matchup, 7-6.

Both teams were clearly eager to play, especially after their game the weekend before was rained out. Their championship had already been delayed due to off-island competitions in Guam and Korea, with both rosters packed with all-star players.

The Comets started things off early with four back-to-back runs in the first inning. Leadoff batter Joe Lizama led it off with a walk, then moved into scoring position from a passed ball and wild pitch. He then scored the first run, followed by another from Joel Cabrera who also got on base from a walk as the Braves’ pitching and defense continued to struggle.

Javen Camacho scored the third run, then Roque Pangelinan reached home for a 4-0 lead. The Braves finally got out of the inning without further damage. The Braves’ bats were not there early on as they failed to cash in big with runners in scoring position. Their runs trickled in as they got on board in the second from a run by Abraham Falig, then halved the lead in the third from another run by Maximus Taitano. They were behind by just one come the fourth after Sherman Camacho made it 3-4.

At this point, it was still anybody’s game, but the tables turned as the Braves finally found their swing while the Comets struggled. The Braves then added three more runs in the fifth to take the lead, 6-4. Meanwhile, the Comets replied with two runs of their own at the bottom of the fifth to tie it up, 6-6. But, it wasn’t enough to hold down the Braves as they scored the winning run in the sixth inning, 7-6, and as the Comets failed to tie it up or walk it off in the final inning.

The Senior League championship MVP was Maximus Taitano. Third place went to Ol’Aces.

The Braves Sr. roster included Maximus Taitano, Justin Garde, Benigno Sablan, Herman Iguel, Carl Hocog, Abraham Falig, Brandon Babauta, Peter Camacho, Sherman Camacho, and Ayden Magofna.

Manager Nicolas Nekai Jr. said of their championship win, “We always put in the work throughout the year, and I’m always expecting that we’re going to be here in the championship. It was a tough game. The Comets were the team to beat. They did come back from an 0-4 season, so we were expecting them to be good. It was a hard-fought game. I feel really great that we got this win and it’s all thanks to my boys. We chipped away—we finally got the hits we needed, and the runs scored, and we held it down and we got it done.”

He then thanked the Saipan Little League board for making the season happen and said, “It’s good to have sports because it keeps the kids off the streets”. He also thanked the Natibu Sports Association for being their sponsor and making it possible for the boys to play baseball.

Right after, the Braves Jr. team took to the field against Ol’Aces. It was another come-from-behind win as they clinched the championship, 15-10.

While the Braves gave another stunning comeback performance, it was a heartbreaker for Ol’Aces who once held a huge 9-0 lead in the third inning. The Ol’Aces’ 9-run lead was thanks to an onslaught of runs—three each from the first to third inning. But, the Braves chipped away starting in the bottom of the third as Ol’Aces’ defense and pitching crumbled.

The Braves put up five in the third, then didn’t look back as they scored seven in the fourth to take the lead, 12-9.

Ol’Aces managed to score just one more run in the fourth, but by then, it was too late. The Braves were up 12-10 and tacked on three more runs, as the fight in Ol’Aces faded—right as the rain poured and closed out the game, 15-10.

The Junior division championship MVP was Kayden Lizama. Third place were the Blue Jays.

The Braves Jr. roster consisted of Damian Marchadesch, Aiken Norita, Zekiel Falig, Donray Barcinas, Kayden Lizama, Derrence Benjamin, Reddick Leon Guerrero, Phillip Seman., Ziah Sablan, David Camacho, Kaleb Reyes, Chance Sablan, and Joaquin Cangco.

Manager Vince Camacho said of the Braves teams’ three titles this season, including the Majors division that it was a great year for the Braves. “It’s a year for the Braves. We’re proud of them and thank you to everybody—the parents, the sponsors, the players, the coaches. Long season and we’re looking forward to next year again.