Blu Girls stun world No. 3 Puerto Rico

LIMA, Peru – The Philippine Blu Girls scored four runs in the seventh inning to erase a 4-1 deficit and stun world No. 3 Puerto Rico, 5-4, on Thursday, July 16 – Friday, July 17, in the Philippines – in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Lima. 

Nicole Hammoude delivered the game-winning single at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Complex, completing the Philippines’ dramatic comeback and first victory of the tournament. 

Reyae Villamin opened the decisive seventh inning with a single before Charlotte Sales followed with a hit to left field.

Skylynne Ellazar then lined a two-run single to center, scoring Villamin and Sales to cut Puerto Rico’s lead to 4-3.

Alyssa Marie Daniell doubled deep to center to bring home Ellazar and tie the game at 4-4.

Hammoude capped the rally with a single to center that scored Daniell and turned the three-run deficit into a walk-off victory.

Puerto Rico had seized the early momentum with two runs in the top of the first inning.

Eliana Enriquez drew a walk, and Kairi Rodriguez was hit by a pitch before a throwing error allowed Enriquez to score.

Kathyria Garcia followed with a single to left that drove in Rodriguez for a 2-0 Puerto Rico advantage.

The Blu Girls responded in the bottom half after Mylia Perez walked and Ellazar doubled to left to bring her home.

Hammoude also reached base during the inning as the Philippines continued to pressure Puerto Rico starter Giselle Juarez.

Puerto Rico stretched its lead in the third after Nia Denise Carter walked and scored on Aleshia Ocasio’s double down the right-field line.

Alanah Joy Rivera later drew a walk before Ocasio scored on a passed ball to give Puerto Rico a 4-1 cushion.

Both teams placed runners on base during the middle innings, but neither could capitalize consistently.

Hammoude singled in the fourth as the Blu Girls continued to create scoring opportunities against Juarez.

Juarez completed five innings and allowed only one earned run before Puerto Rico’s bullpen surrendered four runs in the seventh. 

The Puerto Rican offense, meanwhile, failed to score again after the third inning.

Ellazar led the Philippine offense by going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Daniell collected two hits and an RBI, including the game-tying double in the seventh.

Hammoude reached base twice and recorded the winning RBI.

Ocasio and Garcia produced Puerto Rico’s key early hits, while Enriquez and Rodriguez helped create the two first-inning runs.

Juarez started in the circle opposite Philippine pitcher Sydney Lynn Lockman Vitangcol.

Glory Alonzo stabilized the Blu Girls’ pitching staff by working five innings in relief.

Royevel Palma earned the victory after pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

Alexis Ruby Bermudez took the loss after allowing the Philippine rally, while no save was recorded.

The result marked a major upset based on the WBSC rankings, with the Philippines entering the competition at No. 13 and Puerto Rico ranked third in the world. 

Puerto Rico also arrived in Lima after placing fourth at The World Games 2025. 

The Blu Girls are competing against Japan, Great Britain, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and host Peru in the six-team Group Lima. 

Group Lima is one of three qualifying tournaments for the 2027 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals, with the top two teams advancing to the championship event in Redcliffe, Australia. 

The 2027 finals will serve as the first qualification event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, awarding one direct berth to the highest-placed eligible team. 

Softball will return to the Olympic program in Los Angeles after last being contested at the Tokyo Games.

The victory added another memorable chapter to the history of a Philippine program that has consistently competed internationally despite limited resources.

The Blu Girls have dominated Southeast Asian women’s softball and secured a record 11th consecutive SEA Games gold medal in 2025.