From the Philippine Star:

Blu Boys nip Brits in world softball tiff
The Philippine Star | 07/19/2009 8:29 AM

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 speeding runner on second, ending the tight contest to the delight of a sizeable Filipinos crowd in the gallery.

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

“Congratulations, 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 United States Monday, Japan Tuesday, Botswana Wednesday and Denmark Thursday in Pool A elimination play.

The New Zealand Black Sox came into the 2009 ISF World Championship as three time and reigning world champions. Team USA came into tournament as four time world champions, but whose last gold medal came more than twenty years ago, and who got bumped off the medal stand altogether in 2004.

The Black Sox performed their traditional “Haka” before the game, perhaps thinking of two teammates not able to suit up for the tournament. One, a veteran, Paul Algar, stuck in limbo – left off the Team USA roster, but refused in his quest to join his beloved Black Sox, and the other, a youngster, Thomas Enoka, whose entry onto the world stage was delayed for four years by injury.

Friday night’s “Haka” was different than the one performed at the World Fastball Invitational just two weeks ago at Monkton. That one was to say goodbye to an old friend and teammate, another veteran named Paul – Wahlford, who ironically found himself back on the Black Sox roster due to Enoka’s injury.

(photo courtesy of Al Doran’s Facebook)

This Haka, performed for the fans in Saskatoon was more of the traditional warrior’s yell, one that would be followed by a first inning outburst by the Black Sox offence that would set the tone for the start of this XII World Championship, as if to say, “we are world champions and have no intention of surrendering our title.”

The two teams met in one of two opening night marquee games, following opening ceremonies. The games fell behind schedule, but the many fans got home early just the same, leaving after New Zealand left its footprints around the basepaths, and on the backs of Team USA in the top of the first inning.

In three words “One and done”. Twelve runs. Ten Hits. A Home run. A triple. A double. Seven singles. The Black Sox sent seventeen men to the plate, nearly batting around twice. Their eighth hitter got up twice.

New Zealand – T1

Thomas Makea, double
Nathan Nukunu, single, RBI, 1-0 NZ
Jarrad Martin, single
Travis Wilson, 1 out
Donny Hale, single, 2 RBI. 3-0 NZ
Brad Rona, home run. 3 RBI. 6-0 NZ
Pat Shannon, fly out
Rhys Casley, walk, stolen base
Daniel Milne, single, RBI. 7-0 NZ
USA pitching change. Terry Luster replaces Paul Koert
Thomas Makea, walk
Nathan Nukunuku, single
USA error, 1 run. 8-0 NZ
Jarrad Martin, triple, 2 RBI. 10-0 NZ
Travis Wilson, single, RBI. 11-0 NZ
USA error. Wilson to 3b, Hale, out (2 outs)
Brad Rona, single, RBI. 12-0 NZ
Pat Shannon, reaches on Team USA error
Rhys Casley, strikeout (3 outs)

Twelve Runs, ten hits, three errors.

An early night for many fans. A long one for Team USA.

Nine days remain in the XII ISF World Championships.