MANILA – Tanauan Little League banked on the heroics of an Ilongga player to capture the Philippines’ first-ever Senior League Softball World Series title in Lower Sussex, Delaware.
The Philippines, whose players were mostly from Tanauan, Batangas, ruled the tournament for 13- to 16-year-old players after a 7-0 domination of Southwest in a knockout championship match Monday.
Royevel Palma, who hails from Iloilo City but is now based in Tanauan, claimed the win as she struck out 15 and gave up only two hits while Marika Joana Manaig converted three run by innings.
Manaig made the Philippines surge with a flyball in the third inning. It was followed by three more conversions from Jeelyn Pajotal, Jammin Joyce and Mae Langga for a 4-0 edge.
On the American side, pitcher Kennedy Parker allowed four runs on four hits, while striking out three.
The Philippines opened its campaign with a 4-1 win over Latin America, a 6-1 victory over East, 3-1 domination over Southwest, and 3-1 rout of Southeast. Its lone loss was against Delaware 4-8.
In the semifinal round, Tanauan beat East 8-0 to arrange a championship duel with Southwest, which reached the finals with a 2-1 escape of Delaware./PN
