After three exciting games, Oldiais leads the best-of-five PNBL championship series with Peleliu winning game 1 and Oldiais taking games 2 and 3.
Game 1, Wednesday, June 17: Visitors Peleliu scored first on Kalei Luii’s single and Melengis Uchel’s RBI single. In the bottom half, Oldiais scored two when Avery Mesubed reached base on error and scored on Reagan Sidoi’s single who also cross the plate on Sadam Sidoi’s single. Oldiais starter Tats Sadang kept Peleliu scoreless through 4th inning, allowing 3 singles and striking-out four while Oldiais increased its lead by scoring 1 in the second and 4 in the fourth inning on single by a Obong Belelai and doubles by Sambal Tkoel and Antonio Ngiralmau. But, not to be denied, the Odesangel boys roared back with Omsuul Mikel and Tyler Abraham scoring in the fifth and adding 6 more in the sixth inning on singles by veteran Kalei Luii, Melengis, Omsuul and Moi Ito and a perfectly executed bunts by Tyler and Sal Masang to overtake the lead at 9 to 7. In the bottom of the sixth, Oldiais managed a run when Antonio scored, cutting the lead 9 – 8 only to see Peleliu add two more in the top of seventh with Jeremy Guilerman and Tyler scoring on a single by Jeremy and costly errors by Oldiais defense increasing Peleliu lead to 11 – 8. Down three runs in the bottom of the final inning, Oldiais sent the game into extra innings by scoring three on a single by Cartfield Sablan, consecutive BBs to Obong and Sambal, and a 2-RBI single by Avery Mesubed. In the top of the 8th inning, Peleliu scored three on an RBI double by veteran Melengis Uchel to deep center-left and a single by Jeremy. Once again, Oldiais needed 3 runs to continue the game but only managed 2 with Dekei Ngiramengior and Reagan Sidoi scoring and Peleliu reliever Norman “Tsuiki” Ongrung making quick work of the final three batters for a final score of Peleliu 14, Oldiais 13.
Game 2, Thursday, June 28th: Both teams were kept scoreless behind superb pitching by Ngodrii Ucherbelau of Peleliu and Avery Mesubed of Oldiais until the second when Oldiais scored first on a single by Temmy Ngireblekuu who scored on an RBI single by Obong Belelai. Oldiais scored three more in the top of the fourth when Dekei Ngiramengior and Sadam Sidoi reached base on HPs and reliever Fave Ngiramengior laid a sacrifice bunt and Obong Belelai and Sambal Tkoel each had RBI singles. Peleliu responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning on single by Ngiraroius Rechemang, consecutive BBs to Kalei Luii and JR Mobel and a single by Melengis Uchel, and added 1 more in fifth when Moi Ito connected on a single to bring in JR Mobel to tie the game at 4 – 4. The relievers of both teams, Fave of Oldiais and Norman “Tsiuki” Ongrung and Ngirarois of Peleliu kept their opponents scoreless until the seventh and final inning when visitors Oldiais struck first by scoring four when Sambal reached base on an error by Peleliu shortstop and scored on a double by Tats Sadang who scored on a single by Dekei Ngiramengior. Dekei scored on another error and Reagan Sidoi scored on a single by Sadam Sidoi. Down 8 – 4 in their last at-bat, Peleliu quickly scored when Jeremy Guilerman and Omsuul Mikel reached base and scored to narrow the lead to 8-6, bringing out Oldiais closer Tats who made quick work of the remaining batters. Avery was awarded a win and Tats earned a save while Ngidriii took the loss. The win evened the series at 1 – 1.
Game 3, Friday, June 29: With the best-of-five series tied at 1 win each and both teams looking to seize the advantage, the game proved just as exciting as the first two games. Home team Oldiais struck first with one run in the bottom of the first when Avery Mesubed singled to reach first, stole second and scored on a double by Dekei Ngiramengior. Their lead was short-lived as Oldiais starter Obong Belelai could not find his target in the second inning, allowing Peleliu to score 5 runs on four BBs to Moi Ito, Omsuul Mikel, Tyler Abraham and Jeremy Guilerman, and a 2-RBI single to veteran infielder Kalei Luii. Veteran Fave Ngiramengior relieved Obong and with pinpoint accuracy kept Peleliu batters scoreless through the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Oldiais scored three to cut the lead to 5 – 4 when Antonio Ngiralmau, Dekei and Reagan scored. In the sixth and seventh innings, Oldiais reliever Avery retired Peleliu batters in order, striking-out three of the last six batters. In the bottom of the seventh and final at-bat for home team Oldiais, and with the game on the line and Peleliu leading by 1 run, and the top-of-the-lineup due up, the fans of both teams were either on their feet or edge of their seats. Antonio Ngiralmau connected on a 2-2 pitch for a single and reached second on a wild pitch and advanced to third when Peleliu leftfielder mishandled a line-drive of the bat of Avery Mesubed. Then with tying run at third and winning run on first, Dekei grounded to third baseman who attempted a 5-4-3 double-play but the ball ended up in right field allowing Antonio and Avery to score for a final score of 6 – 5. Oldiais pitchers Obong, Fave and Avery allowed only 1 hit. Avery was credited with a win. The next game will be played on Monday night and will be broadcasted live via Palau Wave Radio courtesy of Vice President Raynold B. Oilouch.
PNBL recognizes the following sponsors: Oldiais – Speaker Anastacio, Governor Adelbai and Ngchesar State. Peleliu – Governor Shmull and Peleliu State. League – President’s Office, Vice President’s Office and Surangel and Sons Co. PNBL would like to thank former speaker Salvador Tellames and Palau Wave Radio for the live broadcast of the games allowing baseball fans who are unable to come out to Asahi Field to enjoy our national sport.