The Europe-Africa representatives handed Eagle Pass a 7-2 loss in the

second game of the day, after an extra-inning 14-8 win over the West

squad in the morning.

"We were not able to capitalize when we had runners on base," manager

Willie Ruiz said. "If you're not able to get the clutch hit, that is

going to hurt you in the end."

Italy prevented Eagle Pass from punching its quarterfinal ticket later

in the day, taking a 1-0 lead in the second before scoring two more in

the fourth, one in the fifth and three in the sixth to take control.

Lynet Gil scored Joelyn Gonzalez with a double in the third inning,

evening the score at one each.

But the Eagle Pass offense stalled after that, and was unable to pull

back within striking distance as Italy finished off the win.

"I respect Europe, they have an awesome team," Ruiz said.

Eagle Pass will have to wait until pool play concludes on Wednesday to

find out its fate for the knockout stage.

Ruiz said the experience in the Pacific Northwest has been a memorable

one, regardless of where his team finishes.

"This is the best tournament I've ever been to," he said. "This is not

just a great tournament, but a great vacation for our team."

In its first game of the day, Eagle Pass used a six-run eighth inning

to run away from Tucson, Ariz. 14-8.

The Southwest champs led 3-0 after the first inning and 6-0 after

three frames before the West squad mounted a comeback that sent the

game to extra innings.

But the Eagle Pass bats erupted in the eighth, sending 11 batters to

the plate to earn its first win of the tournament.