Negros First splits opening day doubleheader

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

The Negros First Softball Team split games in their opening doubleheader in the ongoing 2018 Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington in the United States.

The side representing the Asia-Pacific region lost their opener, 6-3, to the Keystone/West Tampa/Bayshore Little League of Tampa, Florida, representing the Southeast region.

Negros First found themselves down 6-0 by the fourth inning, with the American side scoring three runs in both the first and third innings. The Negrense side scored two runs in the fourth and managed to prevent any additional runs by the Florida-based team.

The Filipino squad added another run in the seventh inning before striking out.

Negros First pitcher Glecilyn Alipato finished the game with three hits and one run-batted-in (RBI).

In their second game, they faced host squad Redmond West/North Little League and won 10-7.

After the home team scored two runs at the top of the first, the Negrense squad responded with five. The Washington-based team added one at the top of the third, but the Negrense side pulled further ahead after scoring four runs in the subsequent inning, giving them a 9-3 lead.

Redmond West/North narrowed the gap with two runs at the top of the fifth, but the Philippines added their 10th run at the bottom of the inning. The home team scored two more at the top of the seventh inning before striking out and ending the game.

Negrense players Joecel Cabato and Mea Tubongbanua each picked up two RBIs in the game.

The Philippine team next faces the Ponoka Little League from Canada./JSG, WDJ