World No. 64 American Samoa and No. 73 Palau claimed gold in the Women’s Softball and Men’s Baseball tournaments respectively at the XII Pacific Mini Games, which were held from 30 June to 8 July in Palau.
A total of seven teams – American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau and Papua New Guinea – participated in the softball tournament, which was held from 30 June to 8 July at the Meyuns Softball Field.
American Samoa prevailed 13-5 over Guam in the Gold Medal Game to celebrate their first ever title in international softball. After both teams were tied 5-5 after three innings, American Samoa broke the tie with a five-run fifth on their way to first place.
Papua New Guinea finished in third after a 12-2 win over hosts Palau in the Bronze Medal Game.
The Federated States of Micronesia, Mariana Islands and Marshall Islands finished fifth, sixth and seventh in the final standings. Each of the seven participants won at least one game in the event.
Meanwhile, world No. 36 Guam, No. 64 Mariana Islands, No. 73 Palau, No. 78 Fiji and Federated States of Micronesia competed in the five-team baseball tournament, which took place from 2 to 7 July at the Nippon Baseball Stadium in Koror.
Hosts Palau won the gold nedal after an 8-1 win over Guam in the final while the Mariana Islands captured bronze defeating the Federated States of Micronesia 15-5.
During the opening round, Guam and Palau had finished first and second in the standings with a 3-1 record. Fiji finished in fifth place.
The Pacific Mini Games are a multi-sport event, serving as a scaled-down version of the Pacific Games. The event has been held every four years since the inaugural games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in 1981. It was previously known as the South Pacific Mini Games.
Previous winners of the baseball tournament at the Mini Pacific Games were Northern Mariana Islands in 2022 and 2011.