Mark Gaspi blasted a grand slam as the RP Blu Boys overwhelmed host nation Thailand in just four innings, 12-0, to book a spot in the gold medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games softball tournament on Tuesday at Queen Sirikit Stadium.
It was Gaspi’s second home run in as many games after also going deep against Malaysia a day earlier.
This time, the Philippines’ right fielder struck with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, launching a drive to right field to stretch the lead to 10-0 and effectively put the game out of reach.
With the victory, the unbeaten Blu Boys (2-0) set up a gold medal clash against fellow undefeated Singapore (2-0) on Thursday.
The showdown will be a rematch of the 2019 SEA Games championship game, which Singapore won, 6-1.
Before that, however, the two teams will meet to close their elimination-round schedules in a gold medal preview on Wednesday at 3:00 PM.
The Philippines wasted no time asserting control, with the first four batters reaching base.
Melvin De Castro opened the game with a leadoff double before Gaspi drove him in with a single. Justine Rosales followed with another double to bring Gaspi home and give the Blu Boys an early 3-0 lead.
It was another dominant outing from the Blu Boys’ pitching staff as well. Jehanz Coro and Reagan Parco combined to allow no hits, while Julius Dela Cruz surrendered just one hit in the contest.
Gaspi finished with two hits and five RBIs, while pinch-hitter Lyonas De Leon added two more runs batted in on a single to left field in the top of the fourth inning.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHI | 3 | 7 | 2 | x | x | x | 12 | 8 | ||
| THA | x | x | x | 1 | 3 |
