Manilans blow world title bid, bow to Grand Rapids

MANILA, Philippines - Team Manila failed to deliver when it mattered most, losing to Central Grand Rapids, 9-2, in the finals of the Big League Softball World Series yesterday in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Team Manila defeated Grand Rapids in the eliminations, 4-1, but was nowhere in the fight for the title. It was the third time Team Manila lost to Grand Rapids in the finals after 2008 and 2010.

The Filipinas trailed, 4-1, heading into the fifth frame, and threw it all away when they allowed their more experienced rivals to score five runs in the sixth inning at Vanderberg Park.

Sierra Mitschler, a 15-year-old high school standout, connected on a two-run homerun in the second inning to give her team the cushion it needed to turn back their foes.

Grand Rapids remained unbeaten in each of their five finals appearances, also winning the title in 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2010. With a young, solid lineup, it is expected to keep on winning.

Team Manila pitcher Rizza Bernardino whacked a homerun to tie the game at 1-1, and struck out a dozen batters. But all her efforts were not enough to turn the tide for her team.

Ana Santiago, who shares the coaching chores with Randy Dizer for Team Manila, said the strong winds on the final day didn’t seem to have totally affected their performance.

“Their hitting was very good. I don’t know if the wind really was a big reason why we didn’t do well,” she said, adding that it was perhaps the lack of experience that did them in.

 “I only had four girls back from last year (the team that lost 14-4 in the finals to District 9), but we were going up against a team that had a lot of experience,” she said.

“We’re still proud of our players,” said Team Manila manager Che Borromeo.

 “The talent pool we have in Grand Rapids has given us a great run, and it seems like we just roll over every year,” Grand Rapids manager Heff Edgerle said.

 “We’ve gone 84-6 in the past four years in regional and World Series games, and that’s pretty remarkable. Not losing a title game has been pretty great, too,” he said.