By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Two players of the Bago City Junior League Softball Team that recently captured the championship of the 2023 Junior League World Series championship held in Kirkland, Washington, USA, received cash award from Mayor Ella Celestina D. Garcia-Yulo of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
The mayor gave P10,000 checks each to Erika Arnaiz and Ann Dyana Buenafe, who are residents of the said town at Barangays Odiong and Crossing Magallon, respectively.
Arnaiz achieved a 15-strikeout performance that was vital to the team’s victory. She will also have her jersey number 24 retired in recognition of her feat that also led the Philippines, representing the Asia-Pacific Region, to bring home the country’s second championship since 2003.
Buenafe recorded two runs batted in (RBIs) to lead the country past Connecticut.
Arnaiz and Buenafe are students of Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS) in Bago City.
Yulo said there are potential grassroots talent in the town her administration is helping develop players to form an LGU-managed softball team.
The mayor also reminded the two players to remain humble despite what they have accomplished and not to take their studies for granted.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who accompanied the team in the competition, said it was the first time that the Bagonhon team was able to clinch the Junior League Softball World Series.
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.
Their coaches are Rolando Fuentes and Leo Dayot, and trainers Josie Sebunga and Sarah Caracas.
