Defending champions RP Blu Girls escaped Singapore in eight innings with a walk-off 2-1 victory, marking a triumphant start to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s softball tournament on Monday at the Queen Sirikit Stadium in Thailand.
Cleanup hitter Alyssa Daniell delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded, sending a fly ball to right field deep enough for a sacrifice that scored Jhaycel Roldan.
With an automatic runner on second in extras, Nicole Hammoude laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Roldan to third.
Singapore then made bold strategic moves, including intentionally walking Angelu Gabriel and Roma Cruz, which loaded the bases for Daniell, a standout hitter from the University of Oregon.
Third baseman Charlotte Sales also shone defensively, keeping the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth.
With only one out and Cacia Tan on third, Blu Girls pitcher Kikay Palma engaged in a nine-pitch duel with Singaporean catcher Bowie Tan. Palma’s final pitch was hit hard but lined out to Sales, who quickly tagged Cacia for the inning-ending double play.
The Philippines aims to continue its regional dominance, having won gold in all 10 previous SEA Games softball tournaments.
With hits hard to come by, it was sensational pitching and defense that carried the Blu Girls to victory. Aoril Minanga started for the team, throwing 3 1/3 innings and allowing just two hits, before Palma took over for the final 4 2/3 innings, giving up only four hits.
The Nationals will face Indonesia tomorrow at 12:30 PM.
