The DLSU Green Batters extended their winning streak to four games after they defeated the reigning UAAP champions, the ADMU Blue Eagles, 14-7, last February 18 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.
La Salle was led by reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Boo Barandiaran, who displayed a full arsenal of high-speed pitching that dealt Ateneo their first loss of the season and forged a tie for the top spot in the team standings.
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Eager start
Right off the bat, DLSU quickly scored two early runs during the first inning courtesy of Paolo Salud and Diego Lozano. On the defensive end, DLSU relied on proper execution and solid team play to keep Ateneo scoreless. The Green Batters continued their rally by scoring two more runs in the second inning. This time around, it was Lozano and Franco Hashimoto inflicting damage on the Ateneo infield. However, the Blue Eagles would not go down without a fight, as they scored a single run to stop the La Salle run.
Barandiaran and catcher Paul Naguit proved to be a problem for Ateneo throughout the game. ADMU hitters Gino Tantuico and Ryon Tionloc would be no match for the second-year pitcher. The pitcher-catcher connection of DLSU also caught the attention of the crowd as they were making efficient decisions throughout the game.
The latter part of the game featured some heroic plays from the feisty Naguit when he forced several Ateneo players out with his quick decision-making. In addition to that, he managed to create space for his teammates on offense when he hit the ball towards the right-field, allowing his team to score a double play during the eighth inning.
Pivotal eighth inning
With DLSU hanging on to a close 6-5 lead through seven innings, the Green Batters finally pulled away in the eighth inning with a barrage of runs. With two runners on base, Ignacio Escaño drove in a two-run double that ignited the DLSU run. After a single by Cholo Dominguez and a walk by Naguit, the bases were loaded with Joshua Salinas at bat, and he would hit a hard ground ball in on left center infield. Successive hits by Hashimoto and Salud would give DLSU a commanding 13-5 lead, as the Green Batters brought in seven runs in the eighth inning alone.
By the final inning, Ateneo managed to salvage the result by scoring two runs courtesy of Marquis Alindogan and Rapho Balagtas before DLSU relieved Barandiaran of pitchin, bringing in rookie Alvin Herrera. Herrera then secured the game with a strikeout off ADMU batter Furuwasa.
Second round expectations
After the game, Barandiaran wound up with eight strikeouts, half of which came from the crucial final innings. However, he was quick to point out that although the game was important given the implications to the team standings, he asserted that the team must not let up its intensity coming into the second round.
“We’re in this tournament to win it. We know we can, so we’re really trying our best,” he said.
When asked on what preparations the team will need for the next round, Barandiaran assured that they are fully focused on their goal of winning the title, adding that they cannot relax heading into the crucial stages of the tournament.
Meanwhile, DLSU head coach Joseph Orillana was happy that the Green Batters were able to execute well throughout the game, as he acknowledged the team’s aggressiveness defensively and offensively.
“Nandiyan na yung skills, ang kailangan nilang handaan ang mental game and heart, puso,” he said. “Mas importante ang second round kasi di na papayagan ng ibang teams na manalo lang.”
DLSU begins the second round of the season on Sunday, February 21, when they take on the UP Fighting Maroons at 11 am in the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.
