Iloilo softbelles score first win in LL W Series

MANILA, Philippines - Asia-Pacific representative Iloilo Province clawed back from four runs down to beat Canada’s Hampton LL, 6-4, and barge into the win column in the Little League Softball World Series Saturday at Alpenrose Stadium in Portland (Sunday in Manila).

Ma. Aleona Langga and Royeve Palma provided the spark on offense and defense, respectively, as Iloilo finally nailed a win after heartbreaking losses to USA East’s Robbinsville (2-3) and Southwest’s Robinson (3-14).

The Ilonggas caught up with their victims at joint fourth with 1-2 in Pool B behind unbeaten East (2-0), Southwest (1-1) and West (1-1) in the race for berths to the crossover semis. The team from Phl is set to battle West’s Sunnyside Sunday at the Main Field (Monday in Manila).

Langga batted in two runs and reached the plate once herself while Palma shut Hampton out from the third inning on to help Iloilo complete its fightback.

The Canadians seized early control as they unloaded four runs in the first inning against Iloilo starter Kate Mabelin.

But the Phl batters didn’t give up. After Rosemarie Paraiso’s score off a passed ball in the second, Palma and Langga struck with back-to-back triples in the next frame to help bring it back to square one.

Langga’s base hit sent Palma home for the go-ahead and then Marie Caigid followed it up with her double that drove in Langga for a two-run cushion in the fifth.

Palma was credited with the win for holding Canada to only two hits, allowing no earned runs, walking none, and striking out four batters in a four-inning relief job.