Philippines’ Baseball World Cup Finals bid ends after loss to Venezuela

The Philippine women’s baseball team in action during the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. –WSBC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s baseball team’s campaign in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup came to an end on Thursday after being routed by Venezuela, 10-0, at Aspac Secondary Field in Tainan, Taiwan.

Giving up five runs in the second after failing to tie things up at 1-all in the bottom half of the first inning put the Filipina batters in a huge hole that eventually paved the way for their exit from the tournament with a 2-3 win-loss record.

With the loss, coach Saki Bacarisas’ squad wrapped up the country’s maiden stint in the tournament highlighted by back-to-back victories on Wednesday at the expense of Cuba and Great Britain.

But hopes of advancing to next year’s Finals in Rockford, Illinois in the United States as one of the three best teams in Group B were dashed on the final day, starting with an 8-2 loss to host Chinese-Taipei.

Its early chance at keeping it close with Venezuela came in the bottom half of the first inning and trailing 1-0.

Veronica Velasco singled to right with one out, before advancing to second when Venezuela starter Abril Amaro was called for a balk, putting her in scoring position.

But Mae Langga popped out to shortstop despite being ahead in the count, before Martine Francisco, who keyed the early runs for the Philippines the other day, struck out swinging for the last out.

It was then that Venezuela took command and rocked starter Maria Christine Bautista, who was eventually relieved after 1 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs, five earned, on seven hits.