Negros belles bow to East, exit from Little League World Series

MANILA, Philippines — Asia-Pacific representative Negros bombed out of the Little League Softball World Series as it yielded a close 1-2 defeat to East in a tightly fought quarterfinal duel Monday night at Alpenrose Stadium in Portland, Oregon (yesterday morning in Manila).

The Negrense belles fought their rivals from Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania on even terms through six completed innings but fell short in the end, allowing the Americans to advance to the semifinals.

Negros, which plunged into action couple of weeks after fellow Philippine squad Tanauan made history and captured the Senior League Softball world title, seeks to end its campaign on a bright note against Southwest in the battle for seventh.

Pennsylvania seized the initiative in the top seventh, unloading two runs that Negros couldn’t overcome in the end.

With two outs, Ella McNeff belted a double to centerfield to drive in Erin Van Ness from third base, then she herself dashed home, riding on Elaina Kulsicavage’s single to right to make it a 2-0 game.

East set a Last-4 duel with Oregon with a berth to the championship at stake against the winner of the other semis showdown between Central and Southwest.