Lose championship game 11-1 against Philippines

A YEAR ago, Team Guam couldn’t even score a single run; one year later they are in the championship game and a victory away from making it to the World Series.

However, in order for that to happen, Team Guam needed a win in their match against the Philippines in the 2012 Little League Girls Fast Pitch Softball Regional Tournament Majors Division championship game. Despite putting forth their best, the group from Guam was denied a chance to move on as they dropped an 11-1 game. With the loss, Guam finishes the tournament in second place.

It didn’t take long for the Philippines to make a huge statement in the game. In the first two innings of play, the Philippines made use of several Guam errors and combined for eight runs to take a commanding 8-0 lead after two. Team Guam shed some light early in the third inning as Jestyne Sablan nailed a hit good enough for a double to put a runner in scoring position. However, the Philippines continued to execute on defense and ended the Guam side leaving Sablan stranded.

The Philippines increased their lead to 11-0 in the fourth inning after adding runs to their already huge lead. With the 10-run mercy rule in effect, Team Guam needed a spark on offense heading into the bottom half of the inning to prevent an early exit. Lead-off batter Elyze “Lizzy” Pocaigue smacked a shot to left field and recorded a triple. On the ensuing at-bat, Sam Quinata hit a single to drive home Pocaigue to end the drought. Guam needed one more run to push the game further. However, the Philippines recognized what was at stake and didn’t want to let Guam back in and recorded the third out to end the game.

Guam’s Quinata led the way for her team offensively and went 1-for-2 with an RBI. Despite taking the loss from the mound, Pocaigue was credited with striking out four batters in the game.

With the victory, the Philippines will advance to the Majors Division World Series to be held in Portland, Ore. Team Guam’s Majors Division girls will leave Indonesia later today and head back home.

“Our girls did really good in the tournament and have many reasons to walk around with their heads held up high,” said parent and Guam supporter Ely Pocaigue. “These girls did an excellent job and represented our island with pride.”