The 2022 Pacific Mini Games couldn’t have started off on a bigger note than the big CNMI/Guam baseball rivalry Thursday night in Saipan.

The night before the Opening Ceremonies, the host team held court in 4-1 win in the opening game against their old-time rivals from Guam.

CNMI scored two runs in the bottom of the third off two triples and Franco Nakamura hit a solo homer in the fourth inning to take a comfortable 3-0 – all off of Guam starter Sean Balauro.

Guam managed to get on the board in the top of the 5th inning when Javen Pangelinan drilled a two-out single up the middle to drive in the first run.

CNMI threatened to add to the lead by loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but relief veteran Paul Pangelinan forced their designated hitter to pop out to the catcher that killed the threat.

CNMI added an insurance run in the sixth inning on an RBI double.

The Opening Ceremony is slated for Friday at 5:30 pm and will be live streaming on www.northermarianas2022.com.

Guam’s round robin baseball games will be as follows:

Saturday vs. Fiji @ 2 pm

Monday vs. Solomon Islands @ 7 pm

Wednesday vs. Palau @ 7 pm

TENNIS ON THURSDAY

Tennis was the first sport to get going with team competition going on at two courts on the island. Guam lost all its matches.

Men’s Team

Vanuatu def. Guam 3-0

Papua New Guinea def. Guam 2-1

Women’s Team

Papua New Guinea def. Guam 2-1