PH Blu Girls, eyeing first Asian Games medal, blast Thais

PH Blu Girls.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Blu Girls rolled to an 11-0 romp of Thailand in just four innings on Tuesday for a winning start to their bid for a breakthrough medal finish in women’s softball competitions of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Leaning on five runs in the first inning and limiting Thailand to just two hits, the Blu Girls were able to win the contest that was abbreviated due to a seven-run mercy rule at Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Center.

It also serves as a warm-up for the Blu Girls ahead of tougher battles as they hope to reach the Super Round with a top-two finish in Group B.

Next up for the Philippines is host China on Wednesday before facing South Korea on Thursday.

China posted a 9-0 win over South Korea in the other game of Group B.

The Blu Girls are seeking their first medal in the continental meet after settling for fourth in 2014 and 2018.

Nicole Hammoude’s double scored Sky Ellazar and Mary Joy Maguad to put the Philippines on the board with no outs in the top half of the first. Ellazar reached first on a hit by pitch before reaching second on Maguad’s single.

Hammoude reached third on a groundout before scoring on Angelu Gabriel’s double to left to make it 3-0 for the Blu Girls. Gabriel reached third on a fly out and a fielding error and then reached home plate as Cheska Altomonte hit a two-bagger to right for the fourth run of the inning.

CJ Roa made it 5-0 for the Philippines with a single to center which allowed Altomonte to score.

Starting pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao struck out all three batters in the bottom half of the first before Glory Alonzo, Royevel Palma and Celyn Ojare threw an inning each for the Blu Girls.