PH falls to Canada, US in succession in Softball World Cup

MANILA, Philippines – One match was a close decision while the other was a rout.

Just the same the results were both setbacks for the Philippines, which fell to Canada and the US in succession on Thursday, July 10, in the Softball World Cup in Irvine, California.

Forced play two matches on the same day, the Filipinas absorbed a 1-3 setback to the Canadians in the morning then took were soundly whipped by the Americans, 13-1, for their third loss in four matches after opening the seven-nation series with a 3-0 triumph over Venezuela.

Canadian pitcher Karissa Hovinga tormented the Filipina batters, holding them to one hit and allowed no earned runs and struck out two in four innings of action, according to the story posted on the sports website bleacher report.

Hovinga’s teammate, Carey Leigh-Thomas, was just as devastating on the plate, hitting in all of her three appearances at bat, including RBI singles in the first and sixth innings.

Charged with the loss was Universty of Nevada-Las Vegas pitcher Francesca Foti, who was back in harness after hurling the Philippines to a 3-0 win over Valenzuela last Tuesday. In six innings, Foti walked four, had one strikeout and gave up three runs.

The Filipinas scored their only run in the fifth on a passed ball.

Back in the field in the evening, the Blu Girls were reduced to mincemeat by the Americans, who went to work right away by scoring eight runs in the opening inning, spiked by homers of Valerie and Taylor Hoagland.

Arioto then smacked a grand slam homerun in the fifth to cap her big night.

Pitrcher Sara Nevins got credited with the win, issuing just one run and one hit and struck out four in two innings on the mound.

The Philippines was scheduled to face defending champion Japan on Friday, July 10, followed by Chinese-Taipei the next day, July 11, capping their elimination-round assignment.

The Japanese posted their second win in three matches after whipping the Mexicans, 7-0, also yesterday.

The tournament serves both as tune-up and tryouts for the national squad that will see action in the 17th Asian Games scheduled Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Incheon, South Korea. – Rappler.com