Manila nine gains Big League semis

Pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao sustained her fine form as Team Manila-Philippines overwhelmed US Southeast bet Morganton-North Carolina, 5-1, Thursday to clinch a spot in the semifinals of the 2015 Big League World Series at Layton field in Lower Sussex, Delaware.

The 18-year-old Antolihao, a standout from University of Santo Tomas, gave up just four hits while striking out eight batters to power the Asia Pacific champions to their second successive victory in Pool A.

The Big City softbelles cashed in on a couple of errors by the US Southeast squad as they exploded for five runs in the second inning on their way to pinning a second loss on North Carolina.

Kristine Marie Acuña drove in two runs, scoring Edna Mae Severino and Shaira Damasing, after Florabelle Pabiania reached home on a base hit from Delyrose Covarrubias.

North Carolina tallied its only run in the fifth inning when pinch runner Logan Smithers rushed home off a hit by catcher Micaela Queen.

“It was a must-win game for us because we wanted to reach the semifinals,” said Manila coach Ana Santiago, whose squad battles US Central squad Southbend-Indiana next.

Manila is gunning for its second title in three years after ruling the tournament in 2012 in Michigan.

The top team in Pool A will meet the second-ranked team in Pool B in the semifinals.

Host District 3 Millsboro–Delaware is locked in a tie at the top of Pool B with US-Southeast champ Louisiana with similar 3-0 cards. Cedelf P. Tupas