Manila belles split opening games

KALAMAZOO, Michigan — Team Manila outclassed Puerto Rico, 3-0, but lost to Michigan, 1-2, as it split its opening day assignments Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in the Big League (16-18) division World Series for girls softball at the Vanderberg Park here.

Tiny Aiza dela Torre limited the Puerto Ricans to only three hits, while the RP clouters pinned losing hurler Tamara Martinez with five hits in a big start to join five other teams that hurdled their opening assignments.

A two-hit, two-run splurge at the bottom of the second inning sparked by a run-scoring double by rookie third base girl Alexandra Zuluaga led to the decisive win by the Filipinos in the opener of the one-round, nine-team event.

Zuluaga’s double to deep center scored right fielder Thinsey de Jose, who had earlier walked and scored on a single by Dela Torre.

The Manila Girls of head coach Filomeno "Boy" Codiñera, who arrived from Manila barely two hours before the match, settled the issue an inning later with another run courtesy of Jessel Taladtad, who got on board with a hit and reached home on an error by Puerto Rican second base girl Zoraima Ruiz.

Tipped to sweep their twin bill assignment, the Golden Girls took the initiative early against Michigan on a walk issued by Misty Willison to lead-off batter Wenchie Bacarisas in the first frame.

The rookie Bacarisas, daughter of former Blu Boy and national coach Zacarias Bacarisas, reached second on a sacrifice by Taladtad before crossing the plate on a single to center by Gaylon.

But Willison settled down and went on to neutralize the Filipino batters, allowing a mere hit the rest of the way before yielding the mound to Sharon Palma in the 11th.

Michigan actually swept its two-game assignment after nosing out Charleston of West Virginia, 1-0, while defending champion Antelope Valley of California opened defense of its title with a 3-0 win over Texas.