Blu Boys nip Brits in world baseball tiff

SASKATOON, Canada – The Philippines erupted for all of its runs in the fourth inning in a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Great Britain on the opening day of the XII International Softball Federation men’s world championship Friday at the Bob Van Impe Stadium inside the Godon Howe Park here.

Down 1-0 after three completed innings, the Blu Boys went to work in decisive fourth period, bombarding losing pitcher James Arby with four hits, including a pair of perfectly executed sacrifice bunts.

The first of such surprise plays, coming from a signal from coach Zacky Bacarisas to Jasper Cabrera, put two Filipinos on first and second, including Orlando Binarao who earlier singled.

Arby then filled the bags after yielding a single to Manolito Binarao, Orlando’s younger brother, in the next play, paving the way for an Oscar Bradshaw double – a line drive that sailed over the head of the British shortstop and sending all three Filipino runners scampering across the plate.

 Another sacrifice play, this time, coming from Isidro Abello, saw Bradshaw following Orlando Binarao, Cabrera and Manolito Binarao home. Bradshaw earlier advanced to third on a passed ball.

“Alam ako hindi nila inaasahan yung sacrifice plays, kasi maaga pa naman. Kaya lang kailangan nating umiskor at maaring madagdagan pa ang runs nila,” Bacarisas later said of his ploys.

Sensing the victory up under their sleeves, fastball throwing Rogelio Rojas then starved the Englishmen from there on in taking his first victory although coach Bacarisas’ boys needed a defensive hereoics from Apol Rosales at the bottom of the seventh and final frame.

With two runners on, the last coming when a fielded ball hit Rosales’ foot, the RP third baseman quickly recovered the leather and caught the speding runner on second, ending the tight contest to the delight of a sizeable Filipinos in the gallery.

Amsateur Softball Association-Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier contributed the boys from a job well done in a telephone call from Manila.

“Congratul;ations, keep up the good work. You just showed the world what kind of softball we play in the Philippines and what kind of player we are. Continue doing honors for the country, “ Lhuiller said in a message relayed through delegation head Kiko Diaz.    

The Philippines plays Mexico next on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) before meeting defending champion New Zealand Sunday, former winner the Unioted States Monday, Japan TuesdayBotswana Wednesday and Denmark Thursday in Pool A eliminatijon play.