MANILA, Philippines - Asia Pacific representative Iloilo salvaged a measure of pride by beating USA Central, 5-1, in their last outing in Pool A of the Junior League Softball World Series Wednesday in Kirkland, Washington (yesterday in Manila).
The Ilonggas racked up four runs in the second inning to take control against Jeff/GRC LL from Jeffersonville, Indiana and finish pool play with a 1-3 win-loss card for fifth in the group.
Only the top four teams in each group moved on to the KO stage. USA Southeast’ Fort Myers, Florida (3-1) led the advance in Pool A as Central (2-2) made it through despite the loss to AsPac. Also in were two squads with 2-2 slates after four games – Canada and Host Washington.
Royeve Palma, Rozel Sunico, Sherami Adorador and Pearly Joy Lorca took turns sending a runner home in the second inning as Iloilo stormed to a 4-0 lead. Palma touched off scoring by driving in Dezza Barredo then she herself reached the plate off a single by Sunico. Adorador doubled to score Sunico and later dashed home off Lorca’s base-hit.
Lorca got a run in the top seventh off Flora Mae Satorre’s RBI single as the Pinays padded the margin to 5-0.
Casey Schweitzer averted a shutout loss for Central when she singled Meghan Lay in the bottom seventh.
Palma pitched a three-hitter, gave up one earned run, struck out two and issued no walks in a no-relief job and picked up the victory.