• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After finishing third last year, the Bago City Junior League Softball team captured the championship of the 2023 Junior League World Series championship held in Kirkland, Washington, USA, this time around.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who was with the team during the competition, said the Bagonhon team was able to clinch the Junior League Softball World Series championship for the first time.
The Philippine team, composed of the Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS) softbelles, lifted Asia Pacific Region to a 3-0 victory over Eastern Region during the finals match.
Erica Arnaiz struck out 15 batters and Ann Dyana Buenafe recorded two runs batted in (RBIs) to lead the country past Connecticut.
The team swept into the finals after closing the doors on all other participating regions in this year’s World Series. These included District 9 Region (Washington) 19-0, Southeast (Florida) 4-1, Canada Region (Canada) 7-4, Central Region (Michigan) 10-0, West Region (Arizona) 4-0, and Southwest Region (Texas) 4-0.
This unbreakable streak of seven straight wins was a great comeback for the team, after placing third last year.
Other members of the team are Icelle Tanaman, Ashley Ortiz, Froline Manalo, Cristine Jane Caracas, Daniela Bejos, Audrie Sarsona, Thereze Francine Fuentes, Mary Antoinette Sicapore, Nice Lobrido and Casandra Sumatra.
They were mentored by coaches Rolando Fuentes and Leo Dayot, and trainers Josie Sebunga and Sarah Caracas.
“This was a historic day for Bago City,” declared Yulo.
“Softball, a sport that is somehow new to us but with the determination, hard work, and dedication of our team, it has now become associated with our city after this world championship trophy courtesy of our team,” Yulo added.
The mayor also congratulated the Bago City Softball Girls “for a job well done and for the honor they brought to the city and the whole country.”
In addition to the coaching staff, Yulo also acknowledged the participation of Francis Fuentes who stepped up to be the team manager and head coach, and the commitment of Rey Fuentes as team founder.
“I thank their parents and family for their relentless support of their children. The same goes to all Bagonhons who prayed for their success and most especially to the Filipino community here in Washington who came out to support our team,” he said.
The softbelles are expected to be accorded with hero’s welcome, upon arrival in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Honored to have been a witness to such a historic day, the Yulo hoped that the team’s triumph will inspire young Bagonhons to aim high and dream bigger.
This is indeed a victorious day for Bago City and the Philippines, he stressed.*
