Halbstarken guns for Fastball softball crown

CEBU, Philippines - Team Halbstarken shoots for no less than the championship trophy as action in the Alaska and Phiten-sponsored 1st Fastball Softball Tournament resumes this Saturday at the Aboitiz Sports Field near Makro in Mandaue City.

Halbstarken gained an automatic semifinal berth as it completed a five-game sweep in the elimination phase.

A double-header over the weekend was not a problem for Halbstarken as dumped its foes in convincing fashion.

Halbstarken slammed Fastball Blue Panthers, 8-3, before dismantling the Knights, 13-5.

The International Phillies trailed Halbstarken in the overall standings with a 4-1 win-loss card.

The Phillies also swept their last two assignments in the classification round. They hammered the Fastball Blue Angels, 11-1, before escaping past the gritty FB Blue Panthers, 8-6.

The addition of Japanese national Shimpe added firepower to the Phillies’ offensive arsenal.

Team Korea currently stands at third place with a 3-2 win-loss record followed by the Fastball Blue Angels with a 2-3 slate, enough for them to qualify into the semifinals.

The Blue Angels though have a mountain to climb as they take on the top-ranked Halbstarken in the crossover semis.

The Koreans capped their elimination round campaign with a 22-12 thrashing of the Knights and a 12-4 demolition of the FB Blue Angels. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)