The Chiriquí team won the National Little League Baseball Championship, defeating Panama West 8-4 on Friday in the third game of the final series, securing direct passage to the World Series in Williamsport, United States. The David-Doleguita Little Leagues become Panama’s representative in the next Little League World Series, which will be played from August 19 to 30, 2026. Kaled Valdés earned the win in relief, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing two hits and two runs. After being tied at two runs apiece through the first three innings, the Chiriquí team exploded offensively with five runs in the top of the fourth. In addition, the Chiriquí team secured their ticket to the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, after a 32-year absence, as the only time this province attended the prestigious tournament was in 1993. "It was a difficult match, but I was able to handle the pressure. The key to victory was concentration," Saavedra said after the match. "Thank God things worked out," he added. "I feel happy, joyful, and content."
