Manila belles yield to US squad

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Manila South failed to sustain an early three-run head-start and fell to a home run-belting Pennsylvania District 32, 5-10, Tuesday in the Big League Softball World Series at Connie Mac Field in Delaware.

The Manila softbelles slipped to an even 1-1 card in Pool B, unable to follow up their 15-0 regulation triumph over Ontario District 5 on opening day. The Manileñas were the maiden victims of the squad from Jessup, PA, which previously dropped its first two assignments in the girls’ softball 16-18 competitions.

The AsPac champions appeared headed to their second straight win when they went up, 5-2, off the three-run homerun of Angelie Ursabia at the bottom of the fifth.

But that turned out short-lived as Pennsylvania, sparked by Anna McElroy’s second round-tripper of the day, erupted with eight runs at the top of the sixth and shut the Pinays down from there to steal the win.

Kelly Mecca hit an RBI single then Griffin Jones slammed a run-scoring double as PA closed in at 4-5. The Americans got the equalizer off a base-on-ball issued by pitcher Baby Jane Raro with bases loaded, then eventually overtook Manila with Clare Sebastianelli’s two-run RBI.

McElroy, who had a solo homer in the second frame, unleashed her batting prowess anew and belted a three-run HR to stretch PA’s lead to 10-5. 

Manila tried in vain to catch up in its next two trips at bat and absorbed its first setback.

The Manileñas will try to bounce back Thursday versus the host squad, Delaware District 3 at Bruce E. Layton Field.

Manila’s heartbreak was shared by Laguna over at the Senior League Softball WS hostilities.

Laguna engaged home side Delaware District 1 in a scoreless tie for seven innings but yielded the marginal run at the bottom eighth to concede a 0-1 loss, its second in Pool A elims.

With the first two batters out, Delaware managed to fill in the bases as Megan Fry hit a single to right field and Kasey Fry Meily Messick reached base off an error and fielders’ choice, respectively.

Pouncing on this opportunity, Jenna Campbell hit a hard grounder to left field and sent Megan Fry home for the game-winner.