So Close: Curaçao Edges USVI 3–2 in ECASC Final on St. John

The USVI Women's National Team came within one swing of winning the 2023 ECASC Women's Fast-Pitch Tournament Qualifier at home. Curaçao beat the host Virgin Islands 3–2 in Sunday's championship game at the National Park Ball Field on St. John.

The Virgin Islands struck first. Kiara Richards lined a two-run single in the first inning for a 2–0 lead.

Curaçao chipped away, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the fourth. In the fifth, Jandely Ricardo and Julisa Koffy hit back-to-back home runs to take the lead. Curaçao pitcher J'dah Girigorie held the USVI to three hits over seven innings and struck out 16, a tournament best.

The win sends Curaçao to the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador.

The Virgin Islands reached the final by beating Sint Maarten, Aruba and the British Virgin Islands in round-robin play. They also lost to Curaçao, 9–0, in round-robin play. Final standings: Curaçao, USVI, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten and Jamaica. Aruba won the bronze medal game over the BVI, 9–8, on a walk-off.

Finishing second wasn't the goal. Still, the week showed what the women's program can do and what the territory can host. A renovated ballfield and a full international field put St. John on the regional softball map.

Federation director Jose Tony Rosario had said before the tournament that he hoped young players in the stands would see themselves on the field. Three years later, the USVI women reached the Central American and Caribbean Games final themselves.