Iloilo slams USA S’west in jr softball

MANILA, Philippines - Asia Pacific representative Iloilo turned back USA Southwest, 7-2, in the classification round of the Junior League Softball World Series Friday at Everest Park in Kirkland, Washington (yesterday in Manila).

Iloilo slammed a three-run spree in the first inning to set the tone for the one-sided win over its rivals from Eagle Pass, Texas.

The Pinay softbelles will next face Canada aiming for a higher finish in the battle among those who missed the medal round.

Iloilo stormed to a 3-0 tear with Clarisse Lozada blasting an RBI double, Flora May Satore batting a run in with a groundout and Dezza Barredo belting a run-scoring single.

The Aspac champ added a run to their lead in the second then padded it to 7-0 in the sixth off the RBIs of Rozel Sunico and Georgie Adorador.

Iloilo peppered Eagle Pass with 11 hits, with Barredo spearheading the offense with a three-for-three clip plus one RBI and one run.

Royeve Palma allowed no earned runs and struck out three in pitching a seven hitter in seven innings for Iloilo.

USA East and Latin America, meanwhile, will face off for the title.

East holder West Point LL from Pennsylvania routed USA West bet Sunnyside LL from Tucson, Arizona, 11-1, while Latin America ruler Mexico tripped Europe-Africa’s Lombardia LL from Milano, Italy, 9-3, in the semis.