Blu Girls yield to Canada, US batters

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Blu Girls suffered a double whammy in the World Cup of Softball IX, dropping a 1-3 setback to Canada and a 1-13 blowout to host USA Wednesday at Bill Barber Park in Irvine, California.

The Canadians ripped the Blu Girls’ defense with 10 hits with Carey-Leigh Thomas going 3-for-3 spiked by an RBI double in the first and another run-scoring single in the third against Fil-Am Francesca Foti.

Jennifer Yee drove in Canada’s third run in the bottom sixth en route to its fourth straight win and the solo lead.

The Filipinas managed only one hit against the Canadian pitching staff, scoring only off a passed ball in the fifth frame.

Phl IX later took on the mighty Americans and got routed in five innings for a 1-3 slate.

The Americans quickly asserted their mastery by unleashing eight runs in the opening frame topped off by Taylor Hoagland’s two-run home run and Valerie Arioto’s solo round-tripper.

Arioto blasted a grand slam homer four innings later to underscore USA’s dominance.

Phl prevented a shutout loss with a Francesca Altomonte run off a base-hit by Gabrielle Rodas in the third.