Defending champions Comets won their early rematch against the Little Legals, while the NSA Braves coasted to victory over McDonalds as competition in the Major division of the 2017 Saipan Little League Baseball kicked off last Saturday at the Miguel Tan Ge Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

The first encounter between the Comets and Little Legals since their 2016 title showdown had the former posting a 4-1 triumph in a low-scoring game. The Comets, who cruised to a 12-2 victory over the Little Legals in last seasons finale, scored late in the match to take their season-opening win.

Alvin Hocog and Jesus Sablan each hit an RBI single at the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Comets in front, 2-1, after going scoreless in the first three. Sablan also made it home in the fourth off a Little Legals miscue, while the Comets added one more run in the fifth off another booboo from their foe.

Earlier at the top of the first, Little Legals leadoff batter Anthony Dikito registered the first run of the 2017 season after reaching home off a passed ball. That was it for the Little Legals as Comets pitcher Jason Reyes threw a one-hitter the rest of the way and finished with 13 strikeouts in an impressive debut with the defending champions.

In the Braves-McDonalds tiff, the former got off to a strong start to set up the easy win.

The Braves scored nine runs in the first two innings and were never threatened from thereon. Four of the Braves six runs at the bottom of the first came off passed balls, while three in the second were made from McDonalds defensive lapses.

McDonalds showed some promise in the third when it collected four runs, however the Braves countered with five in the fifth inning for more cushion.

Tyler Sablan, Patrick Celis, and Taisei Desebel scored three runs apiece in the Braves season debut victory, while L.J. Reyes had two runs and went 3-for-4 on a losing effort for McDonalds.

Joining McDonalds and the Comets on the win column in the opening day of the Major division were the Falcons, who topped the OlAces, 11-1.

The Falcons needed only four innings to beat the OlAces, as the formers pitcher Keoni Serrano nearly threw a no-hitter for their teams early win via mercy rule. Serrano allowed a single in the third inning and gave up no earned run, while striking out nine batters.

On offense, the Falcons gained seven runs in the second inning to take full control of the match. Jonathan Renguul went 2-for-2 at bat, scored two runs, and had two RBIs and a double. Noah Aguon and Serrano also hit 2-for-2 and combined for five runs.

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Comets prevail; Braves ease past McDonald's - Saipan Tribune