Team Manila splits another two-game bill

KALAMAZOO, Michigan — Team Manila split its two-game assignment for the second straight day, dropping a 2-3 decision to Antelope Valley of California but ripping Charleston of West Virginia, 6-2, Tuesday (Wednesday) in Day 2 of the Big League (16-18) girls’ softball World Series Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) at the Vanderberg Park here.

Riding the two-hit effort of comebacking Chat Lorevie Ditchon and lefty Felixwinda Custodio, the Filipino batters downed Charleston of West Virginia to atone for their sorry setback to the defending champion Antelope Valley squad.

Ditchon, who had not pitched in a competitive game for more than a year, hurled a two-hit, four-inning start, while Custodio, a first-timer in international play, preserved the effort in a three-inning, one-hit relief as the Filipinos, with a 2-2 slate, boosted their chances of making it into the championship playoff.

The Golden Girls riddled two West Virginian hurlers with seven hits that produced three runs each in the first and second innings to secure the win.

Dorie Mae Cabuguason was two-of-four while Jessel Taladtad, rightfielder Nelsa Delagente, Custodio herself, Thinsey de Jose and Wenchie Bacarisas had one RBI each to star for Team Manila.

The West Virginians’ two runs came on the top of the fourth when catcher Kris Taylor belted a solo home run and right fielder Sara Cobb crossed the plate on an error by Manila’s second base girl Bibian Deala.

To make it into the winner-take-all finals, the Golden Girls need to win all their four remaining assignments and hope that two of the three teams at the top of the standings — Michigan, Kalamazoo and Connecticut — drop two of their last four games.

Michigan cruised to its third straight win with an 11-0 rout of Canada, while Connecticut remained unbeaten in four games after nosing out Puerto Rico, 4-3, and dethroning Antelope Valley, 5-0.