Things did not turn out as expected for the Green Batters and Softbelles this season. The Green Batters finished at fifth place with a 3-7 win-loss record to conclude the 75th season of the UAAP, while the Softbelles settled at seventh place with a 2-10 slate. Both teams did not improve their record last season.
The Green Batters managed to sustain a close fight against the team’s opponents while the Softbelles had a hard time delivering another victory after the team’s win against the University of the East. The Batters and Softbelles finished two places lower than their previous season finish.
Batter Team Captain Jay Laurel explained, “To be honest, we expected to do better. A lot of the teams came more prepared, we were hit by injuries, and yung line up rotation messed during the start. We lost five people from the starting line so the rookies adjusted.”
The road for the batters
Last January 20, the Green Batters beat the UP Baseball team as the Taft-based batters performed a 7-0 run during the eighth inning of the game. La Salle left the f Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium with a win, 8-6.
After the successful game against UP, the Green-and-White team suffered two consecutive losses against NU and ADMU. The Green Batters failed to take the lead against the Ateneo Batters, 7-9, due to the discontinuation of the game last January 27. The game was cut short in the middle of the last inning because it is getting dark. The cancellation took La Salle’s opportunity for a win.
The Green Batters, then, resurrected from two consecutive defeats, leaving Adamson scoreless, 15-0, last January 31. Pocholo Dominguez contributed four points, which boosted La Salle’s tempo. On the other hand, the Lady Softbelles suffered a, 15-0, loss against Adamson.
UST gave La Salle a hard time last February 3 as the latter failed to seal another victory in the field as the team lost, 5-1. Carlos Munoz was the only Green Batter who was able to reach home plate.
Consecutive defeats ended Softbelles’ run
After the Softbelles’ two-game streak, the team lost nine straight matches, including three from UP, ADMU, and NU.
The ladies’ game against UP ended, 11-4, as the Softbelles had a hard time catching up against the its opponent. The succeeding games for the Softbelles did not turn out as planned as La Salle bore another loss in a high-scoring game against Ateneo, 19-9.
One last run
The Green Batters made La Salle’s last stand in the season against the University of the Philippines. The Green-and-White batters managed to gain an early three-point lead, but the Maroon batters kept the game close. The Green Batters managed a double play in the seventh inning, not giving UP a chance to score. During the eighth inning of the game, a controversial safe call went against the Taft-based batters. In the end, the team failed to grab the lead once more, leaving the game at 9-6, in favor of UP.
Green Batters Coach Joseph Orillana explained, “Nakita ko yung effort ng lahat. It just so happen na kinapos. May mga bad calls din but hindi naman naka-affect sa kanila. Hindi lang talaga napabor samin yung game. Marami kaming chances para manalo. Mas mahirap ngayon season compared sa last season, at lumakas lahat ng team.”
The Green Batters’ last game this season is also the last game for Team Captain Jay Laurel, Mikey Reyes and Miles Que. After the Alma Mater Hymn, the Green Batters gathered in the field once again to the three run around the field for the last time.
Miles Que ended, “Even though we didn’t place so well this season, it was nice to see my team mates always play with heart. Seeing everyone go for that extra base or dive for that line drive is enough for me to say we had a great season. And again, even though we didn’t end up on top, I am sure Pao [Paolo Mallari] would be proud. After all, all of this was for him.”
