The Philippines came close to scoring a breakthrough win in the XVI World Baseball and Softball Confederation Men’s Softball World Championship 2019 in Prague, Czech Republic but once again fell short against the host team on Wednesday.
The Blu Boys surrendered two runs in the seventh and last inning and bowed to Czech Republic, 4-1, in this prestigious tournament participated in by 16 of the top softball nations in the world.
After three scoreless innings, both teams scored in the fourth. Czech Republic made two runs courtesy of David Mertl and Patrik Kpecny before Ernesto Binarao singled in Jerome Bacarisas for the first and only run for Philippines.
Despite the setback, Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president and softball patron Jean Henri Lhuillier is pleased with the way the Blu Boys played.
“The team is playing better and the experience has been good for them. We have to be patient with our Blu Boys,” said Lhuillier, who flew to Prague to personally support the team.
Lhuillier also met with Andrea D’Auria, a member of the WBSC Coaching Commission, and described the meeting as “helpful for the further development and growth of both the Blu Boys and the Blu Girls.”
The Blu Boys, ranked 17th in the world, will next face defending champion New Zealand.
Pacing Group A is Asian champion Japan (5-0) followed by Argentina (4-1). Tied for third place are Cuba and New Zealand (3-2) while trailing closely behind are Czech Republic and Mexico (2-3). At the bottom are Botswana (1-4) and the Philippines (0-5)
Group B is led by Canada (5-0) followed by Australia (4-1), Venezuela (4-1), USA (3-2); Denmark
(2-3); The Netherlands (1-4) Singapore (1-4) and South Africa (0-5).