By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--The Philippine Blu Girls pulled off a major upset right in the very first day of the 12th World Cup of Softball after beating Australia, 7-5, in Oklahoma City on Thursday (Philippine Time).
Arianne Vallestro's three-run hit in the first inning set the pace for the 17th-ranked Blu Girls' giant-slaying of the fourth-ranked Australians. Dani Gilmore added a solo home run to cap off the first period barrage.
Kailey Cuoco added a three-run double in the second inning before holding off Australia the rest of the way.
The Blu Girls are now 1-1 in the tournament following a 0-4 defeat to second-ranked host nation USA.
The Blu Girls are now 1-1 in the tournament following a 0-4 defeat to second-ranked host nation USA.
"Our RP Blu Girls is off to an impressive start. All the training and preparations are now paying off. I know our team will pull off more surprise wins in their coming games. I believe we have what it takes to come up with our best ever finish in the World Cup. All these are geared towards our 2020 Tokyo Olympics goal," said ASAPHIL president Jean Henri Lhuillier.
However, the Blu Girls have a tougher grind ahead on Friday as they take on top-seeded Japan, third-seeded Canada, and seventh-seeded Puerto Rico on the same day.
The US juniors team and Mexico are next for the Blu Girls over the weekend.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
However, the Blu Girls have a tougher grind ahead on Friday as they take on top-seeded Japan, third-seeded Canada, and seventh-seeded Puerto Rico on the same day.
The US juniors team and Mexico are next for the Blu Girls over the weekend.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
.JPG)
.jpg)
