WEST'S Snow Canyon Little League of Santa Clara, Utah completed their Junior League Softball World Series campaign with an unstained record of seven wins, including a 9-3 triumph over Southwest's Smithville Little League of Smithville, Texas to capture this year's title in Kirkland, Washington.
West combined seven runs in the bottom of the first and second innings to boost an early 7-0 lead before Southeast scored two runs in the top of the 4th innings and had one in the last inning. Meanwhile, the champions added one apiece in the bottom of 5th and 6th to seal the win.
On the other hand, the Negros First Softball Team, representing the Asia-Pacific, failed to avenge their elimination loss to Florida-based Southeast side, 3-2, in the Friendship game to close their campaign in this year's Junior League Softball World Series.
After denying the Negrenses to make a run in the top of the first inning, Haley Magin advanced to the 3rd base on an error by shortstop Mea Tubongbanua and eventually gave the Southeast a 1-0 lead on a passed ball.
Negros First equalized the scoreboard on top of the 2nd inning with Joecel Cabato before Angela Solidarios made it doubled off a wild pitch in the next inning.
The celebration was short-lived after Jessica Ficarrotta scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the 4th inning for the equalizer.
The Florida-based team pulled a surprised come from behind victory in the bottom of 5th after Negros First squad committed consecutive errors that allowed Magin to score not only her second but, Southeast's most important run.
Now, that the Junior League competition is over, the Little League Softball World Series is set to unfold on August 8 to 15 in Portland, Oregon.
The young Negrense softbelles are looking forward to improve their last year's 5th place finish. (HGD/VoxPop Bacolod)