HEMET, California – Team Manila-Philippines launched its title-retention bid in the 2018 PONY World Series 18-Under Girls Softball Championships in grand fashion by beating South Hemet XEL in just three innings at the Diamond Valley Park inside Valley-Wide Recreation District here.
The game was stopped due to mercy rule after the PH batters raced to a commanding 12-0 lead.
They completed their perfect start with a 9-1 win over Redlands South California.
In their debut it was pitcher Glory Alonzo, a 17-year old native of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, who delivered an impressive performance with five strikeouts in a no-run, two-inning job.
They started their rampage right in the first inning.
They took a 6-0 lead after first baseman Cleofe Magsayo singled home short stop Angelu Gabriel and second baseman Mary Joy Maguad.
Four more runs by Magsayo, Alonso, centerfielder Khrisha Cantor, and a solo homerun by outfielder Alaiza Talisik, helped Team Manila pull away for good.
Team Manila’s trip is backed by Mayor Joseph Estrada, the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), and HMR Trading House.
Alma Tauli capped the team’s overpowering show by fanning out three players.
Tauli also starred in the team’s second win.
Tauli, the 17-year old stunner from Adamson yielded a homerun to third baseman Maxine Ortega of Redlands.
Irritated by the rare homerun against last year’s World Series best pitcher, Tauli delivered six straight strike outs that left Redlands awed.
An RBI by first baseman Cleofe Magsayo touched off three runs for Team Manila.
Standout catcher Aliza Pichon, the 18-year old native of Misamis Occidental from Adamson, blasted a homerun at the bottom of the first inning to give Manila the lead, 7-1 elad.
Shortstop Angelu Gabriel capped Team Manila’s victory with a solo homerun.
