Palma Ceia softball's title hopes dashed

Palma Ceia's run through the Junior Softball Little League World Series had been characterized by timely hitting, but its bats couldn't get that one big hit in a 7-5 loss to Calhoun, La., on Thursday — a defeat that ended the team's championship hopes.

"This has been a magical run for us," Palma Ceia manager Kevin Franklin said. "These girls will always remember the tremendous friendships they've made this summer."

Both teams entered the game 2-1 in pool play so the winner advanced to the championship semifinal as the No. 2 team out of Pool A. The loss bumped Palma Ceia into the consolation semifinal, where it will play the Netherlands at 5 p.m. today.

Big League World Series: In Kalamazoo, Mich., Citrus Park earned a commanding win over Laredo, Texas, 15-4. Citrus Park rattled out 18 hits, including three apiece from Khrystyne Ely, Erica Bowman and Mya Anderson, scoring five runs in the third and seventh innings. Citrus Park can even its overall World Series record to 3-3 with a win over Connecticut at 11 a.m. today.