Delta whitewash Rivers as Lagos beat Kwara on opening day

Team Delta defeated Rivers 8 to 2, yesterday, in the opening match of the maiden Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo 2022 National Division 1 Baseball and Softball Championship in Asaba.

Lagos State’s baseball team also started well by beating Kwara 7 to 6 in a close contest, just as Team Delta also recorded a victory in their second baseball game against Niger, which ended 15 to 3.

In the softball category, Delta also started on a victory note, beating Kwara 8 to 0.

The competition, which ends on April 24, is being attended by Baseball Division 1 team from Delta, Kwara, Lagos, Ekiti and Niger states, while Division 1 teams from Delta, Rivers, Kwara and Lagos are fighting in the softball event.

Over N1 million cash prizes have been dangled on the teams at the competition held at the St. Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba.

Today, Rivers State will face Niger, while Lagos will battle with Ekiti in some of the morning fixtures.

The afternoon games will see the Lagos softball team battling with Delta, while Kwara will face Rivers.

The semifinal will hold on later today, while the third-place match and final game will hold on April 24.

The sponsor, Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo, a former athlete, is providing feeding for 17 persons (15 players and two coaches) at the championship, which, he said, aimed at promoting and developing the game in Nigeria.

It is also expected to re-awaken the interest of youths in baseball and softball, reduce youth restiveness in Nigeria and expose the players to international level competition.