UAAP: Green Batters shutout UST, Lady Batters upset NU

The DLSU Green Batters slipped past the UST Growling Tigers, 2-0 for the first shutout by any team this season, last Tuesday, February 5 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. The win gives the Batters a 3-1 record coming into the last game of the first round of the UAAP 77 Baseball tournament.

A day earlier, the DLSU Lady Batters defeated last season’s second placer, the NU Lady Bulldogs, in an unexpected 8-1 win at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. With this victory, the Lady Batters now sit at a 3-1 standing, as they continue to soar in the tournament.

Green Batters dominate

A pitching duel, both hurlers lasted until the end of the game. UST’s starter Ventura gave up seven hits, walked five, and struck out nine. His Lasallian counterpart, Boo Barandiaran, tossed a complete game shutout, giving up two hits, walking two, and striking out eight. Defense on both sides made an impact on the entire game.

The opening salvo was fired by the Batters in the first inning, with Dino Imperial driving in the first run for the Batters. He also scored the team’s second run in the sixth inning. With pitcher Carlos Munoz struggling in the last match against NU, coach Joseph Orilliana opted to go with his rookie pitcher, who made his first start of the season.

When asked about his starter, coach Orillana shared, Nasa kanya yung momentum. Sabi ko, since maganda yung timing niya sa pitching, yung location niya nakukuha niya kaya sinabi ko ituloy na niya (Pitcher). And since rookie palang siya, maganda yung high morale na siya. At least, kahit rookie palang siya, ready ko na siya i-start sa pitching anytime.”

Lady Batters continue surprise run

NU drew first blood in the second inning, earning the early 1-0 advantage over the Lady Batters. DLSU was quick to respond though as Pat Belarmino propelled the Taft-Based squad to an immediate scoring opportunity, completing a run in the same inning, to tie the match at 1-1. Lady Batter Joy Son completed an additional run in the third inning, thereby swinging the lead to their favor for good.

The Lady Bulldogs tried to rally with La Salle for the rest of the game, but to no avail, as they were unable to complete and add more runs to their score. On the other hand, La Salle’s advantage continued to balloon for the rest of the match, as the Lady Batters were able to score six more runs to trump last year’s bridesmaid finishers. Son, Mercynell Arroyo, Vanessa Borbon, Jamica Arribas, Samanta Rice, and Jen Gomez all contributed to the Lady Batters’ forceful offensive 6-0 run by the end of the sixth inning.

With the Lady Bulldogs unable to convert on their opportunities, the game was ended by mercy rule with a score of 8-1, in favor of DLSU.

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The Green Batters will cap off the First round of the season with a rematch of last year’s finals, going against the Ateneo Blue Batters this coming Sunday, February 8, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. As the first-seeded team coming into the UAAP Season 76 finals, the Green-and-White were swept in the best-of-three series by their rivals from Katipunan.

The Lady Batters, on the other hand, will face the UE Lady Warriors this coming Saturday, February 7, at 8am also in the Rizal Memorial Stadium.