PH women stint ends after twin losses

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Twin defeats on Thursday denied the Philippines a chance to extend its debut run in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan.

The Filipino batters were handed an 8-2 loss by Chinese Taipei before being brutally shown the door by Venezuela hours later with a 10-0 rout at the Aspac Secondary Field.

That concluded the campaign of the Philippine squad, which finished with a 2-3 win-loss record, well short of securing a top three finish in Group B and a spot in the six-team Finals to be held next year in Rockford, Illinois.

But the first World Cup stint did not end without the Philippines giving itself something to remember after bouncing back from Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to defending champion Japan to open the rain-delayed competition.

Wednesday saw coach Saki Bacarisas’ squad produce a breakthrough first win by blanking Cuba, 6-0, before returning to the field in the evening to beat Great Britain, 8-2.

In both games, Martine Francisco broke the ice for the Philippines by driving home the first run against Cuba, and the first two against Great Britain, all in the first inning.

The WBSC took notice of the performance of the University of the Philippines softball standout in both games and named her Player of the Day.

It was the momentum the Philippines needed going into the final day, but both Chinese Taipei and Venezuela had other ideas.

Starting pitcher Jojielyn Lim was rocked by Chinese Taipei with four runs in the first inning, and the Philippines could not recover to settle for defeat.

Against Venezuela, the Philippines was on even terms in the bottom of the first after Veronica Velasco advanced to second on a balk with one out. But Mae Langga popped out to the shortstop, and Francisco struck out swinging against Venezuelan righty Abril Amaro.

Venezuela would extend its lead in the second by tacking on six runs to make it 7-0. INQ