UAAP: DLSU closes out UST for third straight win

The DLSU Green Batters clinched their third straight win in UAAP Season 78 after defeating the UST Growling Tigers, 14-9, yesterday, February 14, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.

Rookie pitcher Diego Lozano once again led the way for the team after striking out ten UST batters. Tuwi Park also helped the cause with multiple hits and runs batted in. While the team let UST get back in the game, they were able to respond down the stretch to close out their rivals.

Park began the scoring for La Salle after driving in designated hitter Ignacio Escano with a single in the second inning. For DLSU, that was only the beginning as lead-off hitter Paolo Salud drove in Park to extend the lead to two, and Lozano hit a base-clearing triple that gave La Salle a 5-0 lead. Carl Minana then stroked a single to bring home Lozano and give the team a 6-0 lead after two innings.

With the score at 6-1, UST’s bats exploded in the fifth inning, as they scored five runs to tie the game at six. The two teams continued to trade runs until DLSU was finally able to pull away in the latter parts of the game.

RBI doubles from Park and second baseman Josh Salinas, and a second triple from Lozano were enough offense to put the Growling Tigers away. Lozano then pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out the game and secure the win for La Salle.

DLSU continues to receive tremendous contributions from its rookies this season, with most of them belonging in the starting line-up of yesterday’s game. The production the team has gotten so far from their freshmen has been second to none in this first round of games.

After missing a few games due to injury, sophomore Kiko Gesmundo returned to action and was able to make his first start on the mound this season.

The team now looks forward to a rematch of last year’s final on Thursday, February 18, against the Ateneo Blue Eagles. La Salle will have to play a near perfect game to defeat the undefeated Katipunan-based squad to secure both the win and the top spot in the team standings. The game will again be played at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Diamond at 10 am.