Coming off a three-game winning streak, the DLSU Lady Batters capitalized on their momentum coming into today’s game to defeat the UE Lady Warriors, 8-7, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Diamond. With the win, the team from Taft booked a ticket to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 81 Softball Tournament.
Rollercoaster first half
The first inning in the match was in favor of the Lady Batters as they were able to send three people home, leading the match at 3-1. The second inning tested the defensive side of both squads as they left no chance for each other to score.
The third inning was a challenge for the team from Taft as the Recto-based squad was able to send five of their teammates to claim the lead, 6-3. Down by three, the Lady Batters tried to bounce back in the fourth inning but was halted by the loaded defense of the Lady Warriors. DLSU held up their defense and gave no opportunity for UE to extend their score .
Wake up call
As the Lady Batters were scoreless for the past three innings, head coach Jasper Cabrera ordered his squad to warm up before they start hitting. This proved to be helpful as graduating player Bernadeth Bensan was able to send her teammate Mercy Arroyo home to cut the deficit by one, giving the team from Taft a glimpse of hope, 6-4. The head coach also changed his pitcher from rookie Kia Juan to veteran and team captain Jamica Arribas. The change of pitchers proved to be effective as the Green-and-White were able to stop the Lady Warriors in scoring.
Mirroring her hit from the fifth inning, Bensan once again sent two of her teammates home in the seventh inning despite the team having two outs prior to her batting. With her late game heroics, Bensan cut down the deficit and forced an extension, 6-6.
With the Lady Batters waking up in the right time of the match, Chinny Ejar delivered a hit to send teammate Bu Alipato home, taking the lead from the Lady Warriors, 7-6. However, the Recto-based squad wasn’t going down without a fight. They were able to send one home to force another extension and tie the match, 7-7.
Veteran Arroyo stepped up to help the cause of the Lasallians after she popped up in the middle of the right field, sending Ejar home and getting the lead once again, 8-7. The match ended after the Lady Warriors failed to make a comeback in the second extension of the game.
Next games
With the Lady Batters securing a Final Four slot after defeating the Lady Warriors, Cabrera is still looking to win the last two games in the second round of the eliminations. “Focus talaga kami diyan sa two games na ‘yan. Kailangan makakuha kami ng isang win diyan para sigurado kami,” the head coach shared.
(We’re really focused on those two games. We need to get a win there just to be sure.)
Playing an inspired game earlier today, Bensan couldn’t stop smiling as she shared her sentiments on making it to the Final Four. “Sobrang saya kasi di namin akalain na aabot kami. Sinasabi nila gumawa kami ng history tapos parang ito na yung history, na gagawin namin yung best namin hanggang umabot kami sa dulo,” graduating player Benson shared.
(We’re really happy because we didn’t expect we’d make it. They keep telling us to make history and this is the history we’ll be making. We’ll be doing our best until we reach the end.)
The Lady Batters will come face to face with the defending champions, the Adamson Lady Falcons, on Saturday, March 16, at 11 am at the same venue.
