National U18 Philippines Softball Plays in Dallas for First Time

The latest results from the Blu Girls competing this year as one of four Asian national teams in the U18 Women's Softball World Cup.

Day one started Aug. 29 with the 2024 Philippines Team making their debut in the international tournament, opening against Australia. The opposing team took control of the early innings, but in the fifth inning the Philippines made a rapid comeback with Hanna Craighead making the first score for the team thanks to Erica Arnaiz successfully striking the ball into left-center field. Despite four scores in the same inning, the Philippines couldn’t take the lead from Australia, resulting in a loss 7 to 4. 

Day two of the tournament started Aug. 30 with the Philippines versus Mexico, dropping a lead in the seventh inning and losing 6 to 4. However just a few hours later, the Philippines Team won their first game 5 to 2 against Ireland, having taken a commanding lead by the fifth inning in large part to Jiyah Caban making the strike for two scores before scoring herself later that inning. 

Aug. 31 had The Philippines up against Canada, which hours early dominated Ireland with little contest. Unfortunately, a similar fate arose with the Philippines losing 0 to 6.  

In their game on Sept. 1 The Philippines faced off against the United States team, an indomitable and undefeated presence in the tournament thus far, a streak unbroken as The Philippines lost 0 to 7, however managing to play the best defense against the United States team in the tournament thus far.

With only one victory under their belt in the first four days of the tournament, The Philippines team did not make the qualifications to enter the next international tournament, despite facing off in a rematch against Ireland on Sept. 2 and flawlessly winning 0 to 4. The highlight player of the game was Callie Christian, who struck out several opposing players and a third inning strike allowed for Jiyah Caban and Mylia Perez to score. 

At the end of the tournament, The Blu Girls placed 5th in Group C with two total victories. The Philippines team will be returning home, but will have had time to explore around The Village in Dallas, which is near locations like NorthPark Center, Fair Oak Park and Mockingbird Station. 

“I am incredibly proud of our girls for competing at such a high level against some of the best teams in the world," Lhuillier said to SunStar. "This is not the end for the Blu Girls; it's just the beginning. These experiences are invaluable, and I am confident that they will continue to grow and develop as players."