TEAM Manila-Philippines essayed a seven-inning 8-2 victory over Antelope Valley-California to make its presence felt in the 2015 World Series Girls Big League Softball Championship at a jam-packed Layton Field of the Pyles Center in Lower Sussex in Delaware on Tuesday.
Veteran pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao delivered a sterling performance of eight strikeouts, including six no-run innings and three skillful defensive stops, to lead the Manila batters to their first win in the series.
A stunning home run by catcher Celestine Palma coupled with a run by right fielder Riflayca Basa from second base off a sacrifice bunt by catcher Delyrose Covarrubias jump-started the Big City softbelles’ scoring spree for a 2-0 lead at the bottom of the second inning.
At the top of the third inning, Antolihao, the 18-year-old daughter of a laborer from Cebu City and a sports scholar at the University of Santo Tomas, capped her dazzling performance with three straight strikeouts that had the Californians winded and awed.
Two runs at the bottom of the fourth courtesy of Palma and third baseman Cristy Joy Roa off a hit by catcher Roxzell Niloban gave Manila a 4-0 lead in the same inning. Two more runs by Niloban and Covarrubias off a hit by outfielder Shaina Damasing put the Manila girls further on top, 6-0.
The USA West Champions, coming off a close win over USA Central Champion South Bend-Indiana on opening day, came back strong at the top of the fifth with a surprising two-run play of their own off an RBI by catcher Elyssa Bramer to put the score at 6-2.
But a two-run play by the Asia-Pacific Champions, whose participation in the World Series is backed by Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, and the Philippine Airlines and International Container Terminal Services Inc., gave them an 8-2 advantage courtesy of Covarrubias and Damasing off a hit by first baseman Florabelle Pabiana at the bottom of the sixth.
Another impressive strikeout by Antolihao and two fine defensive stops by shortstop Edna Mae Severino and Basa ended the game at the top of the seventh inning.
“Antelope Valley-California has always been in there in the Big League and I think they are also fast-developing and could still be a contender in the semifinals,” Manila Little League President Rafael “Che” Borromeo said.
“Focus lang tayo lalo na sa next two games natin at hindi dapat sobrang kumpiyansa dahil hindi naman sila magiging regional champion ng ganun lang, syempre mayroon din ang mga ’yan,” Head Coach Anna Santiago said.
The Big City softbelles, who only utilized Antolihao throughout the game, will have a rest day, thanks to the withdrawal of Canada. They will face USA Southeast Champion Morganton-North Carolina on Thursday and USA Central Champion South Bend-Indiana on Friday.