Manila batters win 2 games

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines — Team Manila registered two shutout victories to jump start its title bid in the Big League Softball World Series Friday at Vanderberg Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Pitcher Veronica Belleza registered a no-hit performance in the first three innings as the Filipinos dumped Southwest champion Alice, Texas, 11-0, in five innings.

A few minutes later, Rizza Bernardino, Anna Benjamin, Clariz Palma and Laura Lehmann combined for a three hits as Team Manila blanked Windsor, Ontario from Canada, 7-0.

It was a rousing start for the Philippine squad which hopes to end a bridesmaid finish – 2008 and 2010.

Against Texas, Belleza had five strikeouts before Bernardino, who drilled a two-run homer in the third inning to make it 5-0, pitched the final two innings and fanned three batters while allowing just four hits.

Chichiro Bamba, batting second, had four RBIs off two hits in four at-bats while Michelle Lentija smashed a two-run homer for a commanding 7-0 lead in the fourth.

In all, the Big City softbelles scattered 15 hits.

Team Manila is scheduled to play Milano, Italy, representatives of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and reigning champion Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Central champions, in a rematch of last year's finals.

source: mb.com.ph