CEF celebrated twice in the Argentina’s national softball championship finals after claiming the men’s and women’s titles. In the men’s tournament, called Nacional de Clubes, CEF defeated Don Bosco, 4-0, in the final; while in the Hagamos Historia women’s championship, the blue team topped Estudiantes, 10-3. Both events were played in Parana, which will host in October the first edition of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup.
Men: Nacional de Clubes
From 25 February to 1 March, 41 teams competed in four different categories, at the Nacional de Clubes, Argentina’s top men’s softball event. Six diamonds across Parana hosted more than 100 games in five days to crown the national champion.
CEF advanced to the final after topping the round robin phase with a 6-1 record, while Don Bosco (second in the opening stage) defeated Mayu in the semi-final to move to the decider.
In the final, right-handed pitcher Martin Gonzalez tossed a shutout for CEF, guiding his team to the second consecutive national title. Gonzalez was named MVP and best pitcher of the tournament.
Seven world champions participated in the final: Ladislao Malarczuk, Juan Zara, Federico Olheiser and Gian Scialacomo (CEF); Nicolas Carril, Gonzalo Ojeda and Roman Godoy (Don Bosco).
Argentina is the second-ranked nation in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Ranking.
Women: Hagamos Historia
From 17-20 February, 27 teams from across the country participated in the most important women’s softball competition in Argentina, the Hagamos Historia tournament. The event was played in four different stages.
CEF women’s team topped Estudiantes in the final game, 10-3, to clinch their seventh title. Moments before, the champions beat Moron in the semi-final, 6-5.
Argentina is No. 48 in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Rankings.
