In a game wherein both starting pitchers had their A-game, it was Kiko Gesmundo that outlasted Michael Catalan to lead the DLSU Green Batters over the AdU Soaring Falcons, 3-2, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.
“Even if today was a bit of a rocky start, we stuck to our game plan which was try to win every inning and play every game like it’s our last,” said third-year player Diego Lozano after the game.
The Green Batters struck first as they scored two runs in the game’s opening frame when a hit from Tuwi Park brought home both Paolo Salud and Cholo Dominguez. AdU, however, was quick to retaliate with a two-run homerun in the third inning that knotted the game at two.
Over the next few frames, both teams would have opportunities with the bases loaded but neither was able to cash in. In the bottom of the third, Catalan struck out catcher Paul Naguit to keep the game tied, while Gesmundo got Lexter Carandang to flyout, with three Falcons on base, in the top of the eighth inning.
With momentum on their side, the Green Batters immediately went to work in the bottom half of that frame. After Josh Salinas beat out a throw to first, a Naguit bunt and an Anton Acuña single set the table for Salud with the tying run just 90 feet away. Not trying to do much, he hit a ground ball up the middle, wherein he was thrown out at first but Salinas was able to make it home safely to give La Salle the lead, 3-2. DLSU would again load the bases in the inning but Jerome Yenson struck out Ignacio Escaño to limit the damage for AdU.
In the final inning, with the tying run on base for AdU, Gesmundo was able to force a Bryan Castillo popout to seal the win.
On his starting pitcher’s complete game performance, Lozano explained that he was not surprised. “He has been working hard day in and day out for this season and it showed in his performance today.”
In the game, rookie Angelo Tantuico also made his debut as he took over as a defensive replacement in right field.
La Salle resumes action on Wednesday, 1 pm, as they face last year’s runner-up, the UST Growling Tigers, at the same venue.
