ILLAM belles end up 7th in World Series

MANILA, Philippines - Asia-Pacific champ ILLAM banked on the Alexandria Romero-Salas’ sterling performance on both ends to rout Latin America, 11-2, and finish seventh overall in the Little League Softball World Series yesterday (Manila time) in Portland.

Romero-Salas pitched a five-hitter and struck out nine batters while batting in three and scoring twice in a four-of-five clip in the offensive end to help ILLAM prevail in the consolation game.

The ILLAM batters exploded with eight runs in the sixth inning capped by Romero-Salas’ three-run triple to put the game beyond reach of the Asofem LL team from Puerto Rico.

Kendra Morris and Marina Nacion blasted back-to-back RBI singles then Morris and Ricio Macasaet walked to the plate on similar bases-loaded situations as ILLAM broke away, 8-2. Romero-Salas then belted a triple to right field that sent home Nacion, Laticia Puno and Regina Mediola for a nine-run margin.

ILLAM bombarded Latin America’s Paola Perez and Shalis Torres with a combined 11 hits.

Meanwhile, Southeast’s Rowan, North Carolina defeated East’s Warwick North LL, Rhode Island, 4-2, to win the title in the division marred by controversy.

West ruler Snohomish, Washington, allegedly threw a game in pool play to prevent Central’s Iowa from advancing to the semifinals. The two were ordered to play in a tiebreaker to dispute a semis berth with Central eventually winning, 3-2.