Slow-starting Iloilo belles bow to US nine

MANILA, Philippines - Asia-Pacific representative Iloilo failed to overcome an early three-run deficit and dropped a 3-4 loss to USA Southeast in its opening assignment in the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington Sunday.

Down 1-4 through three innings, the Ilonggas unleashed a furious fightback and came to within one behind in the fourth off the RBI double by Pearly Joy Lorca and a run-producing single by Sherami Mendador.

But Southeast parried the Pinays’ advances in the last three frames. An easy 1-2-3 did it in the fifth, then the softbelles from Florida stranded one Phl runner in the sixth and pitcher Nicole Rodriguez secured the last two outs with strike outs to extinguish the scoring threat from the runner at third.

Southeast joined USA Central and Host atop the Pool A standings with 1-0 while Aspac bet Iloilo, a semifinalist last year, occupies fourth with 0-1 ahead of Canada (0-2).

The Americans picked up three quick runs at the top of the first, with Sammy Massaro scoring Lena Wallace off a single to left, Daniella Iantosca driving in Massaro with her double to center, and Jordyn Dolly sending Iantosca home with her triple to center.

Dezza Barredo singled to bat in Mendador as Iloilo made it 3-1 in the bottom first. Rodriguez restored a 4-1 cushion when she scored off a passed ball two innings later.