Blu Girls recover, face Mexicans in ranking match

The Philippine Blu Girls snapped out of a four-game skid, repelling world No. 10 Mexico, 4-2, in the World Cup of Softball XII at ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma on Saturday.

Francesca Altomonte homered to centerfield and drove in runner Reese Gueverra from first to give the 17th-ranked Filipinos a two-run cushion on their way to posting their second win against five losses.

The Filipinos shocked the No. 4 Australians, 7-5, in the opening day of the eight-team tournament but dropped their next five matches.

They face the Mexicans anew in the ranking match Sunday afternoon (early Monday in Manila).

Altomonte had two RBIs and one run on a 2-for-3 batting clip to lead the offense.

Sierra Lange pitched a seven-hitter, allowing two runs and striking out four, in a no-relief job to earn the win.

“Their performance has proven that they are continuously improving to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president and Cebuana Lhuillier president/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The Blu Girls jumped the gun on Mexico in the top of the second with Angelie Ursabia sending Kailey Cuico home on a single. Skylynne Eliazar doubled the lead as she reached the plate off a fielder’s choice.

But Mexico quickly drew level in bottom second, courtesy of Sierra Rodriguez’ run-scoring ground ball single and Stefania Aradilla’s sacrifice fly.