MANILA – Negros First bowed out of title contention in the 2018 Little League Softball World Series after a 1-2 loss to East in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Alpenrose Stadium in Portland, Oregon.
Both teams were strong on the rubber but East was more aggressive at the plate to clinch one of the semifinals seats in the tournament for the aged 11-12 players.
Mary Joy Alpitche went six innings, allowing zero runs on six hits, striking out three, walking zero, and recording 18 outs for Negros First. Laira Dianne Silverio, meanwhile, surrendered two runs on three hits over one inning, walking zero.
Negros First, which represents the Philippines and Asia-Pacific, racked up seven hits. Neavia Marie Emborniza and Jhaycel Roldan led the way with two attempts each.
Sydney Huff led the East to victory as she went one inning, allowing one run on one hit and walking zero. Kaya Hannon took the win for East as she surrendered zero runs on six hits over six innings, striking out 10 and walking zero.
East, meanwhile, collected nine hits on the day with Ella McNeff and Cali Wisnosky each racked up multiple attempts.
The defeat was a heartbreaker for Negros First as it will not have a chance to improve its fifth place finish in the same tournament last year.
The Liz Jalandoni-mentored Negros First will have a consolation match against Southeast, which was defeated by Southwest in the quarterfinals, on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Manila)./PN
