The Philippine national women’s softball team suffered a 0-13 blowout against Japan on the second day of the XVII Women’s Softball World Cup at Campo Cav. Gino Michelutti in Italy last Monday (Manila time).
The Japanese, the reigning 2023 Women’s Softball Asia Cup champions, only needed two innings to deliver a beatdown on the Blu Girls who took a 2-0 win-loss record.
At the top of the first inning, Kanna Kudo smashed a run-batted-in double and sent Ayane Nakagawa to home plate for a 1-0 lead.
Nodoka Harada then took her turn to rebby Kudo for a 2-0 lead for Japan.
Kyoko Ishikawa then made it 4-0 to allow her and Nimori Naito to score more runs before Hitomi Kawabata walked to the home plate for another run after an illegal pitch by Blu Girl Ann Antolihao.
Hotaru Tsukamoto then made it 6-0 for Japan after an RBI double from Haruka Sumitani before scoring her own run after Nakagawa hit an RBI triple for a 7-0 lead.
The carnage ensued at the top of the second inning with Kawabata getting a run after a wild pitch from the Philippines before Ishikawa hit an RBI to send Naito to home plate, ballooning the lead to 9-0.
Tsukamoto then hit an RBI double, allowing Ishikawa to score another run for Japan to make it 10-0 before Nakagawa’s RBI single allowed Tsukamoto to add another run for Japan.
Kudo then hit an RBI double which scored Nakagawa and Yui Nakamizo, for the final 13-0 count.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier wants the Blu Girls to not let the loss dampen their morale in their next games.
“The second loss against Japan is just part of the journey, and your dedication shines through, despite it. Stay focused, keep that fire within your hearts and play with the knowledge that we are all cheering for you,” Lhuillier said.
The Philippines, No. 26 in the World Baseball and Softball Confederation rankings, is still winless after two games in Group C and will seek to end the slump as the Blu Girls are playing against Venezuela as of press time.
The Venezuelans, No. 22 in WBSC rankings, are also looking to end their two-game losing streak after a 2-4 loss to Italy and a 2-6 loss to Canada.
