After suffering two no-hit losses yesterday, the Philippine Women’s National Softball Team bounced back.
Cheska Altomonte and the RP Blu Girls rallied back with a huge sixth-inning to buck the Netherlands, 5-4, Sunday afternoon at the Akitsu Stadium in Narashino City, Japan.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| PHI (A, 2-2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| NED (A, 1-3) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
“I just told the girls to refocus as I know that our girls’ team can really hit. They were just off yesterday,” shared head coach Randy Dizer after their deflating losses to Puerto Rico and Mexico yesterday.
“They are world-number one or two in rankings every year. We’ll just take the game one inning at a time and with hard work and determination and have fun at the same time,” added Dizer.
Down by a run entering the sixth, 3-4, the Filipina batters caught fire.
Hailey Decker was hit by a pitch from Eva Voortman and was able to gain scoring position after a base hit by Sky Ellazar. Riezel Calumbres then subbed in for Decker and was able to gain third base due to a fielder’s choice.
UST standout CJ Roa blasted a single to center field for the tying run. Gaining confidence, team captain Cheska Altomonte then knocked a grounder to center field to bring home Chealsea Suitos for the go-ahead run.
The Filipinas then pinned the Dutch on defense – including a huge double play at the bottom end of the sixth inning.
Suitos went 2-for-3 at-bat, punching in a run.
Reliever Sierra Lange (1-0) pitched 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits. Lyca Basa started for the Philippines.
The win evens the Philippines’ slate to 2-2 heading into their showdown with defending champions USA. The game will take place on Monday, August 6, at 5:00pm.
