The RP Blu Girls struggled to get anything going against world no. 2 Japan, falling 13-0 in four innings in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group C on Monday midnight (Manila time) at the Campo da Softball G. Michelutti in Buttrio, Italy.
The Philippines, along with New Zealand and Venezuela, fell to 0-2 in the group stage, while the Japanese squad rose to 2-0, securing the solo second position.
Japan wasted no time imposing its will, scoring seven runs right in the opening frame on 12 at-bats. The Asian champions continued their onslaught in the second inning, adding six more runs on four hits and a wild pitch.
Japan’s leadoff batter, Ayane Nakagawa, went 3-of-4 at-bat, including two runs-batted-in, while second baseman Kanna Kudo and designated player Kyoko Ishikawa contributed three RBIs each on two hits apiece.
Their starting pitcher, Sakura Miwa, was untouchable in her two innings, allowing no hits.
Winning pitcher Yukiko Ueno gave up all four hits to the Philippines in the match.
Blu Girls’ starting pitcher, Celyn Ojare, bore the brunt of Japan’s offensive explosion, allowing seven runs – six of them unearned – in just 2/3 innings pitched.
The Philippines will attempt to earn its first win later at 5 p.m. (Manila time) against Venezuela before facing off against Italy early Tuesday morning at 2 a.m.
After the round-robin play, the top two teams will battle for an automatic slot in the Final stage in July next year.
Meanwhile, the third and fourth-ranked squads will clash in the third-place playoff, with the winner facing the loser of the 1 vs. 2 matchup in the repechage for the second slot.
