Charlotte Sales homered for the second straight game, but the Philippine Blu Girls did not need late-game heroics this time as they routed Thailand, 7-0, in five innings in the 20th Asian Games softball tournament at the Anjo Sports Park in Aichi, Japan, on Tuesday.
The victory marked the Philippines’ second straight win after dropping its first two games, leveling its record at 2-2 and moving into solo fourth place.
Japan, China, and Chinese Taipei occupy the top three spots with identical 3-0 records.
Sales, who launched a massive home run during the Nationals’ 7-3 comeback victory over South Korea on Monday, came through again by belting a two-run shot to deep left field in the third inning to give the Philippines a 5-0 advantage.
Longtime national team standout Chesca Altomonte also drove in two runs, delivering an RBI single in the third inning before adding another RBI on a double in the fifth.
The Blu Girls caught a break in the top of the fourth when Thai shortstop Warisa Mankong dropped what could have been the final out on a pop-up by Angelu Gabriel. The error allowed Nicole Hammoude to score from first base and extend the Philippines’ lead to 6-0.
The pitching trio of Mary Joy Laurente, MJ Alpitche, and Sydney Vitangcol combined to limit Thailand to just two hits in the five-inning contest.
Jirarak Kako and Kanyawan Sila recorded Thailand’s only hits as the Thais fell to 0-4 in the competition.
The Blu Girls next face Singapore on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. (Manila time).
