Bago City softbelles outplayed Team USA’s East Region bets from Connecticut, 3-0, to clinch the 2023 Junior League Softball World Series title in Kirkland, Washington Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning in Manila).
The Philippine team is composed of Erica Arnaiz, Thereze Francine Fuentes, Ann Dyana Buenafe, Icelle Tanaman, Ashley Ortiz, Froline Manalo, Christine Jane Caracas, Daniela Bejos, Audrie Sarsona, Marie Antoinette Sicapore, Nice Lobrido and Casandra Sumatra.
Arnaiz led the Philippine side when she struck out 15 batters, while Buenafe made two RBIs.
The students of Ramon Torres National High School handed the Philippines its second championship in the girls’ 12-14 age bracket.
It has been 20 years since a team from neighboring Bacolod City took home the crown.
“After countless hours of hard work and dedication, we have finally reached the pinnacle of success. It is a long-awaited victory that will be forever cherished by the entire country,” said officials of Little League Philippines said in a statement.
The Negrenses made up for their third-place finish last year.
This time, the Negrenses’ side swept their first six matches to secure a ticket to the finals where they faced the team from Milford, Connecticut.
The Filipina clouters scored a run in the second inning and pulled off two more in the sixth to clinch the title.
In reaching the finals, Team Philippines subdued District 9 Region (Washington) 19-0; Southeast Region (Florida) 4-1; Canada Region (Canada) 7-4; Central Region (Michigan) 10-0; West Region (Arizona) 4-0; and Southwest Region (Texas) 4-0.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who joined the team in Washington, lauded the players and the coaches “for a job well done and for the honor they brought to Bago City and the whole country.”