In a match-up which could be a preview of the Final Four, the DLSU Lady Batters succumbed to the defending champions, the AdU Lady Falcons, via mercy rule, 9-1, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Diamond. After scoring the first run of the game, the Lady Batters failed to match AdU, with the game ending prematurely in five innings.
La Salle started off the game with a double, but was unable to convert at the top of the first inning. Likewise, starting pitcher Baneth Benson would make quick work on defense not letting anyone get on base to keep the game scoreless.
The second inning was a different story, as both teams would get on the board. Jen Gomez of the Lady Batters scored the first point of the game after Debbie Tanaka singled to a collapsing AdU defense to give DLSU a 1-0 lead. However, AdU would immediately counter at the bottom of the same inning, scoring three runs of its own to take a 3-1 advantage. This would spell the end for DLSU, as the Lady Falcons would make an offensive surge in their succeeding at-bats.
The Lady Falcons scored the game’s last six runs which prompted the match to be abbreviated. On defense, AdU closing pitcher Arlyn Bautista played a superb game with three strikeouts and allowing no hits.
Lady Batters postseason appearance in sight
Despite the loss, the Lady Batters are poised to make their first postseason in recent years with the fifth-placed UP Lady Maroons still needing to play and win two games on Monday against NU. A UP win would tie make a two-way tie for fourth place.
After the game, head coach Alex Epistular was not distraught by the Lady Batter’s performance, “Maganda naman yung first two innings, kaya lang kinapos kami nun. Talagang malakas yung team na yan [AdU], tatama’t-tatama yan.” (The first two innings were good, but [the players] ran out [of energy]. AdU is a very good team, especially at hitting the ball.)
Likewise, the game allowed ace pitcher Jamica Arribas to rest in time for their next game, which they hope to win to solidify their final four bid.
The Lady Batters will close the elimination round against the UST Golden Tigresses on tomorrow, March 6, at 11 am at the same venue.
