Norzagaray yields to US Southeast

MANILA, Philippines - Asia-Pacific champ Norzagaray, Bulacan started its bid in the Junior League Softball World Series on the wrong foot as it yielded a 3-18 setback in five innings to USA Southeast Sunday at Everest Park in Kirkland, Washington (early Monday in Manila).

The Southeast belles exploded with 15 runs off 10 hits in the second inning to practically put the game beyond the Filipinas’ reach in their opening-day encounter in Pool A.

The batters from Florida peppered losing Bulacan pitcher Alma Tauli with 14 hits in the abbreviated match, with Alivia Rivenbank (2-for-3), Chloe Boos (2-for-3) and Mackenzie Herman (3-for-4) each driving in three runs to anchor their offense.

Lani Trent, who took the win after hurling a one-hitter, allowing no earned runs, walking none and striking out three batters in her two-inning start, also had two RBIs on a two-for-four effort.

The Filipinas averted a shutout by putting in three runs in the third, courtesy of successive run-scoring doubles  by Madaelene Domang, Jojielyn Lim and Tauli off Southeast’s second pitcher Herman.

Overall, the Bulacan softbelles managed a combined five hits against Trent, Herman and closer Kaitlyn Power.

The AsPac representatives will try to bounce back in their next game Monday (Tuesday in Manila) against Host Washington.

Another Philippine entry in the LL World Series – Manila South – was slated to kick off its campaign in the Big League softball worlds against West Monday afternoon (early Tuesday in Manila) over in Delaware.