By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bago City-Philippines, representing the Asia-Pacific Region, clinched the crown in the 2023 Junior League Softball World Series after a 3-0 victory over USA’s East Region in Kirkland, Washington yesterday (Philippine time).
Erica Arnaiz stood tall for the Negros Occidental’s Bago City-based softball squad as she struck out 15 batters on her way to a three-hit complete-game shutout to lift the country to a 12-14 age group division crown.
The 14-year-old Arnaiz put Asia Pacific on the scoreboard after a double and reaching home on an error in the third inning. Ana Dyana Buenafe then made it a 3-0 score in the sixth inning with a run by inning single that pushed two runners home.
The championship was the country’s first since a Bacolod City-based squad ruled the age group 20 years ago, while also serving as a bounce back from Bago City’s third place finish last year.
“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,” the Little League Philippines said in a statement.
On their way to the finals, Bago City 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.
Aside from Arnaiz and Buenafe, also part of the Bago City team are Thereze Francine Fuentes, Icelle Tanaman, Ashley Ortiz, Froline Manalo, Christine Jane Caracas, Daniela Bejos, Audrie Sarsona, Marie Antoinette Sicapore, Nice Lobrido, and Casandra Sumatra, who are all students of Ramon Torres National High School.
Serving as mentors for the Asia Pacific representatives are Rolando Fuentes, Leo Dayot, Sarah Caracas, Francis Fuentes, team manager Josie Sebunga and player advocate Yolly Sanchez.
Bago City 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.”
“Our world champions deserve no less than a hero’s welcome when they arrive. I have already instructed personnel to prepare for their homecoming. I am honored to have been a witness to this historic day. May your triumph inspire young Bagonhons to aim high and dream bigger,” Yulo said in a statement./ASC, WDJ