Bago City in the Softball World Series. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Bago City, Negros Occidental absorbed defeats on Saturday (Manila time) to bow out of contention in the Junior and Senior League divisions of the Softball World Series.
The Junior League title hopes of Bago City were dashed by Irmo, South Carolina and fell 6-4 in the semifinals of the tournament for 12 for 14 years old held in Kirkland, Washington.
Its Senior League counterparts, on the other hand, were sent home by Fort Myers, Florida following a 7-1 defeat in the quarterfinals of the event for girls ages 13 to 16 years old.
Both defeats came after Bago City registered similar 2-2 records during pool play.
But the Junior Leaguers were able to make it to the Final Four, only to be derailed in the seventh and final inning when their bid to complete a comeback from a 5-2 deficit fell short.
Daniela Bejos’ one-out double scored Claire Olarte from first to cut the deficit to a couple of runs before Christine Jane Caracas drew a walk on the next at-bat, putting runners on first and second and the winning run at the plate.
But Irmo pitcher Stephanie Jones retired Jenny Cabanera with a flyball to center, then forced Althea Key Palzario to hit a pop-up to foul territory which Eason Davis caught for the final out.
Bago City will face Las Vegas, Nevada in a third place game on Sunday (Manila time).
The Senior Leaguers tied the count at 1-1 on an RBI double by Mary Alpitche in the bottom of the third, only for Fort Myers to come back with a five-run fourth to pull away.
Meanwhile, Bago City will also compete in the Little League division which opens Monday (Manila time) in Greenville, North Carolina.