THE Philippine Blu Girls walloped South Korea, 10-1, in a game abbreviated after six innings Tuesday to begin their campaign in the WBSC Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifier at the Shanghai Sports Training Center in China.
Chelsea Suitos’ two-run single in the top of the second inning broke the ice before the Blu Girls scored seven in the fifth and sixth to give the Blu Girls a promising start in their quest to clinch the last spot in next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Starting pitcher Ann Antonlihao and reliever Sierra Lange combined for six strikeouts while allowing just four hits and two walks for the Philippines, which aims to secure a spot in the super round against host China Wednesday afternoon.
Coach Randy Dizer, however, wasn’t completely satisfied with the Blu Girls performance, knowing that they’ll have their hands full going into the next match.
“It was close. Only their three errors saw us score five runs in the sixth innings to pull away,” said Dizer as quoted by the WBSC’s official website.
Suitos singled with the bases loaded and two outs off Korean hurler Suyoun Park in the second frame, scoring Lauren Young and Garry Blando.
Reese Guevarra’s single to left in the top half of the fourth sent home team captain Cheska Altomonte to make it 3-0 in favor of the Philippines, though South Korea got on board in the latter when Bohyeon Lee scored off a Hyein Jung’s double.
But the Blu Girls answered with two runs in the fifth when South Korean right fielder Ahyoung Kim committed an error, scoring Angelie Ursabia and Skylynne Ellazar for a 5-1 advantage.
The Blu Girls scored five more in the sixth, starting with Ursabia drilling a triple to score Guevarra and Suitos. She later scored on a single by Ellazar to left center.
Young’s single to left enabled Ellazar to touch the plate before she and Arianne Valestero reached home on Altomonte’s single to deep center. (Jonas Terrado)