Softbelles take 2nd loss, bow to Delaware

MANILA, Philippines - Asia-Pacific representative Manila South suffered a stinging 0-1 setback to host Delaware District 3 and found its title defense in the Big League Softball World Series in jeopardy Wednesday afternoon at Layton Field in Delaware (early yesterday in Manila).

Despite outhitting the squad from Sussex County, 4-3, the Manila softbelles gave up a crucial hit in the second inning that proved costly in the end and led to their second straight loss against a lone victory in Pool B of the 16-18 hostilities.

This placed the 2012 world titlist stood at fourth behind the unbeaten Host District 3 (3-0), USA Central (2-1) and USA East (2-2) going to final day of pool action. According to Manila coach Ana Santiago, the embattled Pinay clouters need to hurdle Central, represented by Indiana and score at least five runs to force a triple tie for second with 2-2 and possibly emerge on top after the tie-break to salvage a berth to the crossover semis.

“Triple tie ang habol namin. Kailangan naman maka-score ng five runs sa kanila (We’re after the triple tie but we’d need to score at least five runs against Central),” Santiago said in an email to The STAR. “Double time kami para mahabol namin ang score (We have to work double time to get the win and the score we need).”

Manila, whose campaign is sponsored by ICTSI Foundation and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and Central hit the Layton Field Thursday afternoon (early Friday in Manila) in a virtual dispute for a stint in the Last 4.

Against Delaware, the Manileñas were firing blanks. Only Queeny managed to reach scoring position via a double, a followup to her earlier base hit earlier. Krisna Paguican and Angelie Ursabia also singled but overall, Manila could not get their rhythm against Delaware pitcher Mykala Steele, who struck out six batters and held the Filipinas scoreless in a no-relief job.

“Medyo hindi maganda ang hitting namin (Our hitting was not good),” said Santiago.

Cheered on by a partisan crowd, Delaware seized the initiative in the second inning when it filled the bases after Kaitlyn Slater and Steele were issued walks by Manila starter Agapi Llave then Kaitlyn Hudson slammed a line drive to second base. Slater pounced on the opportunity to advance home on the next throw.

The Filipinas were looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 5-10 loss to Pennsylvania the day before in a game that saw them blow a 5-2 lead. Their lone win came at the expense of winless Canada, 15-0 (regulation), on opening day.

Over at Senior League Softball play at Connie Mack Field, Laguna could not get out of its winless slump and bowed to home team Laurel of Host District 3, 1-9, to bomb out of the semis picture.

Laurel took a 2-0 lead but Laguna threatened and chalked one up run via Gazelle Dilay, who singled, advanced to second on throw and to third off a passed ball, and finally reached the plate off another catcher’s error.

But that was the closest the team from Phl could get as Laurel added two runs via Sara Jo Whaley’s two-run double in the bottom fourth. The home team pulled away for good by unloading five runs in the sixth touched off by Savannah Brown’s solo home run to right field.

Laguna (0-3) cap its campaign in Pool A against USA West’s Victorville American (2-1) Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Meanwhile, Iloilo Province launches its bid in the softball majors Thursday against USA East’s Robbinsville LL team.