The DLSU Lady Batters gave up a five-run fifth inning that saw them succumb to the UST Growling Tigresses, 9-2, in their third loss of the season last Saturday, February 25, at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.
In the losing effort, DLSU pitcher Royeve Palma had four strikeouts and Nikki Manalo hit the only home run for the team.
Off the pace
The Lady Batters struggled to get their offense going throughout all the innings, only managing to gain a single hit in five of the six innings played. In contrast, the Golden Tigresses came out of the gates strong, getting on the board early with a run in the first inning.
La Salle kept themselves in the game throughout the second inning, tying the game with a run of their own. However, UST answered back at the bottom of the same inning to regain their one-run advantage.
Both teams struggled to get their offensive rhythm going in the third and fourth innings, but the Taft-based squad finally broke the dry spell with a home run that deadlocked the game at 2-2 at the top of the fifth. The team from España answered back at the bottom of the inning with a five-run barrage that put the game out of reach. The Lady Batters were unable to muster a response while the Golden Tigresses went on to score two more runs in the sixth inning. After a scoreless seventh inning, the scoreboard read 9-2 in favor of UST.
Still looking to get in the win column, DLSU will face ADMU at 9 am on Tuesday, February 28, at the UP Diliman Baseball Field to end the first round. Later that day, they will challenge the UP Fighting Maroons at 2 pm at the same venue to begin the second round.
