SAIPAN – The 2015 Asia Pacific (ASPAC) Little League Baseball Regional Tournament for the Junior, Senior, and Big League Divisions got underway with an Opening Ceremony Friday, June 26, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at Palacios Field in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, (CNMI) on Saipan. The CNMI along with Guam, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, and Australia are competing in the ten-day event from June 26-July 5, 2015. In the Big League Division (ages 15-18) and the opening game at 4:00 p.m., Guam lost a close one to the CNMI, 3-2.

Guam got on the scoreboard in the top of the 1st with Kel Francisco driving in Mike Concepcion for the RBI single off CNMI starter Frankie Lieto. The 1-0 Guam lead was surpassed in the bottom of the 3rd when the CNMI scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead after three innings. Guam came back with a run in the top of the 5th when Concepcion slapped an RBI single to right off Lieto to score Daniel Cruz from 2nd to trail 3-2 after five innings. Lieto was relieved by Jose Lizama, Jr. in the top of the 5th and held Guam scoreless in the 6th and 7th to preserve the 3-2 win. Guam draws a bye on Saturday, June 27, 2015 and will face Chinese Taipei on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

Big League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Guam 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 8 5

CNMI 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 7 4

WP: Frankie Lieto, 4 1/3 IP, 2 Runs, 6 Hits, 2 SO, 2 BB

LP: Javin Delgado, 6.0 IP, 3 Runs, 7 Hits, 4 SO, No BB

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, Guam’s Allstars in the Junior Division (ages 13-14) will face the CNMI at 9:00 a.m. with Guam’s Senior Division Allstars taking on the CNMI at 11:00 a.m.

The winner of the Junior League Division (ages 13-14) will advance to the Little League World Series (LLWS) in Taylor, Michigan scheduled from Aug 16-23, 2015. The winner in the Senior League Division (ages 14-16) will represent the ASPAC region at the LLWS in Bangor, Maine, from Aug. 2-8, 2015. The winner of the Big League Division (ages 15-18) will advance to the LLWS in Easley, South Carolina, from July 28-Aug. 4, 2015.

2015 Asia Pacific Little League Baseball Tournament

Saturday, June 27, 2015

9:00 a.m.   Junior Division, Guam vs. CNMI

11:00 a.m. Senior Division, Guam vs. CNMI

1:00 p.m.  Junior Division, Hong Kong vs. Chinese Taipei

3:00 p.m.  Senior Division, Philippines vs. Hong Kong

5:00 p.m.  Big League Division, Chinese Taipei vs. Philippines