Team Manila mangles Antelope Valley

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Team Manila of the Philippines finally showed its muscle following a pair of earlier setbacks by venting its ire on Antelope Valley of California, 10-3, in Day 2 Friday of the Big League girls solftball World Series for 14-18 age bracket.

Julie Marie Muyco had the Californians at the palm of her hands in a four-inning starting duty on the mound, working in tandem with Rizza Bernardino in restricting the opposition to only four hits in the entire seven-inning contest.

And the Filipinas’ guns, silent in their initial assignments, went ablaze, hitting their tragets 16 times off three Antelope Valley hurlers, including losing pitcher Nicole Peters, who surrendered eight runs at the top of the decisive fourth frame.

Team Manila’s participation in the Big League World Series is supported by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Cebuana Phuillier Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop, Le Soleil de Boracay, and Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions. 

Nerissa Benjamin accounted for three hits off Peters, reliever Cassie Benson and closer Lynzee Freund, including a home run that exemplified the Golden Girls’ potent power at bat.

Marlyn Franciso had a round-tripper, too in a pair of connections, a feat duplicated by Veronica Belleza.

Also contributing to Manila’s power punches were Annalie Benjamin, Isabel Gomez, Erica Escanuela and Melanie Macatangay, who all had two connections, including a double, and Elvie Entrina.

“They had some opening day jitters, but as I told them, they have to remain focused. The opposition may be good but we can beat them,” assistant coach Randy Dizer said after the girls’ first win.

“We should win all our remaining games tio stay in contention for one of the champoionship playoff slots,” head coach Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, said. The Golden Girls next battle Latin America’s San Juan of Puerto Rico Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

 hpoing to pickup its third win and remain in contention for the medal play.

The Philippiness’ 1-2 win-loss card was enough for a tie for fifth place with Florida behind the the immaculate slates of Grand Rapids; 3-0, host city Kalamazoo; 3-0, West Monroe of Luouisiana, 2-0; and Laujrel of Delaware, 2-1.

Grand Rapids, representing Central America, blanked Canada, 10-0, on Kelsey Bandstra’s two-hit job,for its third straght triumph to tie Kalamazoo for temporary leadershsip. The host city, on the other hand, outlasted Florida, 6-3, also on a two-hit performance of Becka Semberger.