LATIN AMERICA WINS IT!
Puerto Rico defeats U.S. Central
in 2-1 nailbiter for championship
The Latin American team from Maunabo, Puerto Rico, is the 2009 Junior Softball World Series champion.
Puerto Rico combined the outstanding pitching of Jocelyn De Leon, some key defensive plays and timely hitting to edge a tough team from Elyria, Ohio, that had gone unbeaten in the tournament.
It's a repeat performance for Manaubo, which also won the championship in 2007.
The championship game was broadcast live on ESPN Classic, and will be rebroadcast on ESPN2 on Sept. 11 (check your local listings for the time). You can also view a replay of the game online on ESPN360 if it's available via your Internet provider.
In Friday's semifinal action, Central broke open an exciting scoreless game, exploding for 10 runs in the sixth inning for a 10-0 victory. Meanwhile, Latin America jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the Asia Pacific team from Makati City, Philippines, and held on for a 7-3 win.
Ten teams from around the world have converged on Kirkland, Wash., for this week's Little League Junior Softball World Series.
Here are the participating teams:
- Asia-Pacific: ILLAM Central Little League, Makati City, Philippines
- Canada: Windsor South Canadian Little League, Windsor, Ontario
- EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa): Lombardia Little League, Milan, Italy
- Latin America: ASOFEM Little League, Maunabo, Puerto Rico
- U.S. Central: Elyria East Little League, Elyria, Ohio
- U.S. East: Nanticoke/Newport Little League, Nanticoke, Pa.
- U.S. Southeast: South Tampa Little Leagues, Tampa, Fla.
- U.S. Southwest: La Grange Little League, La Grange, Texas
- U.S. West: Snow Canyon Little League, Santa Clara, Utah
- Host: Redmond/Eastlake Little Leagues, Redmond and Sammamish, Wash.
Regional tournaments around the U.S. and Canada determined the competing teams. You can check out all the regional tournaments on the
Little League Inc website; follow the links at the top to each tournament.
SCHEDULE, SCORES AND STANDINGS
SEE ACTION PHOTOS FROM POOL PLAY!
SEE PHOTOS OF ALL THE TEAMS!
