BVI crush Jamaica in regional softball tournament opener

(JTV News) – The British Virgin Islands (BVI) broke a 2-2 tie en route to crushing Jamaica 20-5 in three innings, in the opener of the Eastern Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation Championships in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The BVI’s Dariér Malone won the Player of the Game.

The BVI’s next games are against St. Maarten on Thursday at 1 p.m.; on Friday, Aruba (2 p.m.), and USVI (5 p.m.), and Curacao on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation-sanctioned event is taking place from March 1-5 at the National Park Ball Field, St. John, with six teams: Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curacao, St.Maarten, and the BVI.

The winning team will automatically qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador in June 2023.

BVI Team A consists of Akira Phillip, Bria Smith, Claury Scatliffe, Dariér Malone, Javlyn Frett, Jelisa Potter, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Kennisha Powell, Kimiya Matthias, Lil-Makeda Fahie, Marisa Malone, Melanie Stoutt, Shauliqua Fahie, Sheniqua Fahie-Johnson and Thea Cooke.

Team B consists of Bianca Brewley, Chandni Wattley, Che’Vaunne Richardson, Kiara Woodley, Kimmesha Adams, Shaika Jeffers, Shanika Forbes, and Tyalia Nibbs.

In the event of a player from Team A not being able to attend the event due to an injury, lack of commitment to practices, a suspension or any other reason, a player from Team B will move up to Team A for the qualifying tournament and other games in the future, according to the Virgin Islands Softball Baseball Association said in a press release.

“After every tournament, the teams will return to one group, and players will work towards making the official roster for that specific tournament,” the Association added.

The coaching staff includes Head Coach/Manager Neville “Sheep” Smith; Assistant Manager/Pitching Coach, Allen “Woodrow” Smith; and Assistant Coaches and Trainers, Shamouri Robinson and Demoi Hodge, the press release stated.

“Chief Umpire and Vice President for VISBA, Glenford “Chappy” Maduro, will represent the Virgin Islands as the only certified BVI umpire. At the same time, President of VISBA, Rhodni Skelton, will attend ECASC executive meetings on February 28, 2023,” the release further stated.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
Curacao vs Aruba – 12 p.m.
Jamaica vs BVI – 3 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies – 6 p.m.
St. Maarten vs USVI – 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2
Curacao vs Jamaica – 10 a.m.
BVI vs St. Maarten – 1 p.m.
Aruba vs St. Maarten – 4 p.m.
Aruba vs USVI – 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3
St. Maarten vs Jamaica – 11 a.m.
BVI vs Aruba – 2 p.m.
USVI vs BVI – 5 p.m.
USVI vs Curacao – 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4
BVI vs Curacao – 11 a.m.
Curacao vs St. Maarten – 2 p.m.
Jamaica vs Aruba – 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5
4th vs 3rd – 1 p.m.
2nd vs 1st – 4 p.m.
CLOSING CEREMONIES