Philippine Blu Girls. Photo from Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines-The Philippine Blu Girls defeated Hong Kong and host South Korea on Sunday to open their campaign in the Women Softball Asia Cup in Incheon, South Korea.
The Blu Girls needed just five innings to beat Hong Kong, 7-0, before taking down South Korea, 2-0, in the tournament’s opening day held at Songdo LNG Baseball Stadium.
Sharing identical records with China and Chinese Taipei at 2-0, the Filipina batters have put themselves in an early position to qualify for the Women’s Softball World Cup which starts later this year.
Three World Cup slots are allotted in the continental tournament which will see the top four teams after the preliminary round advancing to the semifinals.
A five-run third inning allowed the Blu Girls to take control of the match against Hong Kong and provide support to the stellar pitching of starter Glory Alonzo.
Alonzo allowed just three hits and fanned two in a complete game shutout for the Philippines.
In the second game, the Blu Girls broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth when Alaiza Talsik doubled to left center, scoring Khrisna Cantor, who had a leadoff walk.
Pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao got an additional run support in the sixth as Cantor singled to score pinch runner Danica Aquino from third.
Antolihao gave up five hits and struck out two South Korean batters in pitching all seven innings for the Philippines.