Pennsylvania stops Manila softbelles

Team Manila squandered a three-run lead in the last two innings and dropped a 5-10 decision to United States-East representative Pennsylvania Tuesday in the Big League Softball World Series at Connie Mack Field in Sussex County, Delaware.

The Manila softbelles gave up eight runs at the top of the sixth inning and lost for the first time in the tournament it ruled last year in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Buoyed by a 15-0 victory over Canada Monday, the Filipinos took a 5-2 lead at the end of the fifth inning, before crumbling in Pennsylvania’s stunning show of firepower.

Anna McElroy proved to be the thorn for the Manilans with one of her two home runs highlighting the late explosion by Pennsylvania, which tallied a total of 10 hits—one more than Manila.

Another Philippine team, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, also absorbed a 0-1 defeat in eight innings to host Delaware in the Senior League World Series.

It was the second straight loss for the Laguna clouters, dimming their chances of qualifying for the semifinals.

“We cannot be disheartened by the loss because we still have a chance of making it to the semifinals,” said Manila councilor Che Borromeo, who is also president of Manila Little League charter.

Manila, whose campaign is backed by ICTSI Foundation and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, needs to sweep its remaining matches against Delaware and Indiana to stand a chance of advancing past the group stage.

“We just have to learn from our mistakes and bounce back,” said Manila coach  Ana Santiago, who only has three players from last year’s champion squad in the lineup back this time.

“We have to keep our focus on the task at hand, which is to retain our title,” she added.  Cedelf P. Tupas