The DLSU Lady Batters were defeated by the UP Fighting Maroons, 8-4, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Diamond. After taking the lead in the early parts of the game, the team from Taft was unable to hold on as it dropped its season opener.
“Nandoon yung will to win namin para manalo kasi we badly want to win the first game but we ended up short,” said Jamica Arribas. “Kahit na-una kaming lumamang ng score, we still pushed ourselves na madagdagan kasi hindi din birong kalaban ang UP at gustong gusto namin manalo.”
(Our will to win was there. Even though we scored first, we still pushed ourselves to increase it because facing UP is no joke and we really wanted to win.)
After starting off the scoring with a run from UP by Gelai Penales, the Lady Batters were able to respond with three runs from their offense. With runners on base early, a hit by team captain Judie Ann Ramos allowed Arribas to arrive home to tie the game. Soon after, Lalaine Cunanan garnered a hit to center field that brought in two runs for the team, finishing the first inning with a score of 3-1.
Lady Maroon Keith Ferrer then followed the next inning with the team’s second run. Meanwhile, the Lady Batters were able to load the bases in the bottom half of the third inning, giving Ramos an opportunity to reach home due to a passed ball. By the end of the third inning, both teams secured another run each, with DLSU still in the lead, 4-2.
In the fourth inning, Ferrer bagged another run for her team. On the other hand, DLSU was unable to maintain the momentum as its offense faltered late in the game.
The Lady Maroons took the lead, 5-4, as they showcased their offense in the top of the fifth inning, getting several plays that rattled the defense of DLSU. UP then scored another run in the sixth inning, before finally putting the game out of reach after scoring two more points in the seventh frame. The Lady Batters were just unable to muster up anything on offense as UP’s pitcher was able to keep them off base.
“Malungkot man ang naging result ng game, we’re proud of ourselves kasi ang maganda naman ang nilaro kaso hindi lang nagtuloy tuloy hanggang dulo.”
(While the result wasn’t what we wanted, we’re proud of ourselves because we played a good game; it’s just that we weren’t able to keep it up till the end.)
While La Salle concluded its first game with a loss, the Lady Batters will try to recover as they play their second game on Saturday, February 3, at 9 am against the UE Lady Warriors at the same venue.
