The DLSU Green Batters notched their first win in UAAP Season 78 after beating the UP Fighting Maroons, 7-4, yesterday, February 7, in the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field. Rookie starting pitcher Diego Lozano put in a stellar performance, with 10 strikeouts through seven innings.
Both teams displayed strong defensive field play through the first four innings, with only Green Batter Cholo Dominguez scoring a run off a passball. DLSU had a great chance to score in the second inning when it loaded the bases, with only one out. UP outfielder Emil Fernandez however was able to make an unbelievable catch that allowed the Fighting Maroons to execute an inning-ending double play.
The Fighting Maroons seemed poised to make a late comeback in the eighth inning, with relief pitcher Alvin Herrera coming to the mound to replace a tired Lozano. With two runners in scoring position, Herrera’s older brother, UP’s Mik Herrera, drove the ball to centerfield, and with the DLSU outfield committing a throwing error, the Fighting Maroons scored two runs. This was followed by a two-run double by Diego Gonzalez that brought two runners home, keeping UP in the game, 7-4 heading into the final inning.
But Herrera managed to redeem a jittery DLSU team in the ninth inning, pitching a 1-2-3 off consecutive fly outs that closed the game, preventing a breakdown similar to that of their season opener against NU. DLSU was able to overcome leaving multiple runners on base to bag their first victory. Execution on the offensive side is something the team will have to work on to if they’ll want to stay on the correct side of the win/loss column. With the win, the Green Batters improved to 1-1 in the season standings.
However, it was not all good news for the Green Batters, as right field and star pitcher Carlos Muñoz suffered a shoulder injury after trying to steal second base late in the eighth inning. As of press time, the severity of the injury and Muñoz’s status for the next few games remain unclear.
Up next for DLSU will be the Adamson Soaring Falcons, whom they will be facing on Thursday, February 11, at 7 am still at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Diamond.
