Upset-seeking RP Blu Boys brought their A-game against the defending champion Australia but ultimately fell short by just a run, 4-5, in the 18th WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup group stage at the Estadio Mundialistas Hermosillenses in Mexico, Friday morning (Manila time).
Justine Rosales gave the Philippines a 3-2 lead in the top of the third inning with an inside-the-park home run to deep left field that also scored Israel Anronio and Norwen Lucas.
However, the Australians, who won the 2022 World Cup, tied the game in the fifth inning and took the lead for good.
After allowing back-to-back hits to Aussies Scott Patterson and Callum Beashel for runners in the corners with two outs, Blu Boys head coach Jasper Cabrera replaced starting pitcher Juliuz Dela Cruz with Jehanz Coro to finish the side, but miscues followed.
Beashel stole second base, putting two Aussies in scoring position. Then, two consecutive passed balls by Philippines’ catcher Lucas allowed Patterson and Beashel to reach home, giving Australia a 4-3 advantage while Brendon O’Byrne walked.
It didn’t stop there as pinch hitter James Todhunter joined the party with a triple to the right center wall, bringing O’Byrne to the plate, making it 5-3.
The Nationals were able to get one run back in the sixth inning off a Mark Sarmiento double down the right field line that scored Kobe Torres to make it 4-5.
However, Sarmiento was left on base as Denmark Bathan and Francis Generoso both struck out.
With one last chance to tie the game or even take the lead, the Blu Boys had a great start to the seventh inning as Antonio displayed his plate discipline to earn a walk, but Aussie reliever Jack Besgrove retired the next three Philippine sluggers: Mark Gaspi, Lucas, and Rosales, securing a 1-1 record for Australia.
Generoso, the ninth batter for the Nationals, went 2-for-3 at bat, while Sarmiento, Rosales, and Torres all got a hit apiece.
Antonio, Gaspi, Lucas, Sarmiento, and Bathan each earned a walk.
O’Byrne and Matt Wickham also had an RBI each off doubles in the first period for an early 2-0 lead for the Australians.
The Blu Boys (0-2) will look to enter the win column and keep their Finals hopes alive tomorrow at 8 a.m. (Manila time) when they collide with the host nation, Mexico.
