Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — The RP Blu Girls narrowly missed their chance to play for a finals ticket after bowing to Italy, 5-6, in their playoff rematch at the 17th Women’s Softball World Cup on Thursday.
The team needed to beat host Italy again to advance to the repechage match, batting against the losing team from the Japan-Canada showdown for a slot in the World Cup finals next year.
The soft belles started off strong with a run by Skylynne Ellazar from Alaiza Talisik’s bat in the first inning.
Italy then snatched and slightly widened their lead in the second frame after converting three runs-batted-in (RBI) by Guilia Koutsoyanopulos’ center field hit, 3-1.
Philippines’ Elsie Dela Torre promptly closed the point gap and forced a tie, 3-all, early in the third inning with a left field fly that helped Ellazar and Francesca Altomonte score runs.
Italy answered back with two RBIs by Koutsoyanopulos and Giulia Longhi, 5-3, before the Blu Girls set another tie via two more converted runs courtesy of Altomonte’s right center single.
Coming from a 5-all deadlock in the fourth frame, Italy took the lead with McKenzie Barbara sacrificing a flier to push Alessandra Rotondo back home, 6-5.
With two outs but loaded third and first bases in the last inning, the Blu Girls’ final attempt to overtake Italy via Cristy Joy Roa’s hit was shut off by Italy’s tight defense as their baseman caught the fly ball to strike out Roa.
Now with a 4-2 standing, Italy will face either Canada or Japan to secure a spot in the World Cup finals.
The Philippine soft belles earlier scored a dramatic back-to-back win against Italy (6-5) and New Zealand (5-3) to stay alive in the international league.
