Golden Girls post two crucial wins

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – The MayniLA Golden Girls finally displayed their potential as title contenders by scoring a pair of important victories in Day Three of the Girls’ Big League Softball World Series at the Lee Field of the Vanderberg Park here.

Third-base woman Karina Aribal celebrated her return as a starter by presiding over the Golden Girls’ mighty offensive, going four-for-four at bat in their 9-5 thrashing of Victoria of British Columbia in the opening half of their doubleheader early in the day.

The pride of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza came back 30 minutes later to roll over San Antonio of Texas, 6-4, for their fourth victory in six starts.

The Golden Girls next play defending champion Michigan Thursday, needing a win to stay in contention for the second seat in the championship playoff. The reigning titlist had a clean 4-0 win-loss slate but was still playing Southern Maryland at presstime.

The system of play calls for the top two teams after the eliminations to dispute the title in a winner-take-all match Saturday.

The 17-year-old Aribal, a second year education student at Adamson who suffered a pulled muscle in her right leg in the opening day, batted in three runs, including two in the pivotal four-run Manila attack at the top of the fifth inning.