The DLSU Green Batters battled bravely against the UP Fighting Maroons but were unable to grab a hold of a solo first-place standing. DLSU fell short, 5-7, in their final matchup of the UAAP Season 86 Baseball Tournament Round One last night, March 10, at the UP Diliman Baseball Field. Currently at a 3-2 record, the sluggers from Taft are tied for first with the UST Growling Tigers and the NU Bulldogs.
La Salle catcher JR Samuel stood out on the offensive end with two runs and one runner-batted-in (RBI). Also contributing with his at-bats was first baseman Pio Villamiel, who batted in two runners, while center fielder JM Segui scored three runs. Rounding out the scoring were designated hitter Marco Micael, shortstop Agon De Vera, and third baseman Joseph Alcontin, each registering an RBI, and left fielder Shinji Kajihara scoring a run.
An early uphill battle
The Green Batters were first to hit but struggled at-bat, getting slapped with three quick outs at the top of the first inning. At the bottom of the first, the UP Fighting Maroons managed to draw first blood via a walk with the bases loaded and a double to go up early into the game, 0-3.
It wasn’t until the fourth inning that La Salle managed to score a run, with Micael’s single breaking the ice offensively, allowing Samuel to reach home, 1-3. Following the fifth inning, DLSU tied the game at 3-all after De Vera and Samuel’s sacrifice flies sent Segui and Kajihara home, respectively. On the defensive end of the diamond, pitcher Joshua Pineda found his groove after giving up a number of walks early. The teammates behind him rounded out the La Salle wall with their steady fielding as they looked to mount a comeback.
However, the team from Diliman managed to break the game open again, with a squeeze bunt and sacrifice fly together with some unlucky bounces on ground balls, putting the defending champions behind by four, 3-7.
Hearts of champions
Down but not out, the Green Batters fought tooth-and-nail, hoping to end the first round of the tournament as the solo first-seed. They put themselves within striking distance after Alcontin’s one-RBI single saw Samuel cut into the lead, 4-7. However, after pinch hitter Vince Flores was walked, La Salle could not do more with their loaded bases and failed to score more runs by the middle of the eighth.
Relief pitcher Peter Nonaillada spearheaded the DLSU defense late into the game. He fielded a ball to first himself for a quick out before clutch catches by Samuel, and Ezy Bautista kept their team in the game entering the ninth.
At the top of the ninth, the odds were against La Salle after two outs saw Segui alone on base. Refusing to let the game end, Villamiel delivered at the plate, with his grounder single sending Segui home, 5-7, and advancing Kajihara to third. Following this, Alcontin was walked–putting three Green Batters on-base.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Micael found all the pressure on his shoulders. He fought inspiringly in his at-bat, getting a clean hit into the left field that UP outfielder Kiel Agono caught in what was a stunning defensive play, ending the cardiac matchup at 5-7.
Despite this close loss, much baseball remains to be played for the DLSU Green Batters. The schedule for the second round has yet to be released in this second straight title-defending season for the Green-and-White.
