Asia Pacific Zone Champions Manila, Philippines leave Walnut, California with a win in their final game of the 2019 Mustang-9 World Series, taking a 19-4 victory over Wilmington, North Carolina.
After a scoreless first inning, Manila was able to take advantage of a couple errors with runners on base to take a two-run lead in the second inning. The Philippines added another two runs in the third inning, scoring on Prince Prondoza’s effort to take advantage of a wild pitch and Brennan Bitanga’s single to shortstop.
The Manila defense ended the third inning with a double play at third base before adding a fifth run in the top of the fourth inning. Wilmington was able to muster up some offense in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring two runs on Ashton Troutman’s triple to right field.
However, the Philippines answered back in a big way in the top of the fifth inning, scoring 14 runs. Manila got things started off by scoring two runs on an error before Santiago Afuang’s bunt brought in another run. Joaquin Perez doubled to left field for a 9-2 lead before Andre Dizon scored on a wild pitch. Following that, Jose Madrid’s single to second base drove in another two runs before he rounded the bases to score on a wild pitch. Carlo Belgar’s single to center field was good for a 14-2 lead and Afuang drew a walk for another run. Perez singled to right field for an RBI before Madrid tripled to center field to bring in the final two runs for Manila.
Wilmington attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning, but it was too little too late. Benjamin Rasmussen’s double to center cut the lead to 19-3. After stealing third base, Rasmussen was able to score on the next play for the final run of the game.
Carlo Belgar led all batters with three hits, followed by Brennan Bitanga and Jose Madrid who each finished with two. Madrid finished the day with four RBIs while Bitanga and Joaquin Perez drove in three runs apiece. Despite the lopsided loss, Logan Pearce finished with five strikeouts in his appearance on the mound for Wilmington.
Although this was the final game for both teams, the 2019 Mustang-9 World Series continues with the championship game scheduled for 1:00 PM on Monday.