Blu Girls stun Aussies, take on top-ranked Japanese next

The Philippine women’s softball team stunned world No. 4 Australia, 7-5, in the World Cup of Softball XII at Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame Complex Field 4 in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

The Blu Girls took charge right in the first inning with Arianne Vallestero’s coming through with three RBIs and Fil-Am Dani Gilmore scoring on a solo home run.

Kailey Cuico then stepped up in the second frame, doubling off to drive in three runs and anchor the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls’ surprise win.

The 17th-ranked Blu Girls will slug it out with world No. 1 Japan Friday. They will next face world No. 3 Canada before mixing it up with seventh-ranked Puerto Rico.