The DLSU Lady Batters suffered their second defeat of the UAAP Season 87 Softball Tournament after a beatdown from the UP Fighting Maroons, 7-0, earlier today, March 4, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Early jitters
After a scoreless first inning, the Fighting Maroons ramped up their offensive plays in the second. A hit from Martine Francisco brought her one RBI, giving UP the lead at the top of the second inning, 1-0. The Lady Batters struggled to respond at the bottom of the second as Ciarina Eder and Jeryll Duller’s hits were immediately caught, forcing an end to the inning.
At the top of the third inning, the Diliman-based squad continued to find gaps in the Lasallian defense as they extended their lead. Fighting Maroon Kate Nueva’s strong hit left the Lady Batters scrambling, allowing two white shirts to get a run and stretching their lead to 3-0. At the bottom of the third inning, La Salle’s Cassandra Inot got a free walk to first base. However, the team’s momentum was cut short when Tiffany Labargan’s hit landed in the UP pitcher’s hands, catching her out at her run to first base.
The Fighting Maroons added another run at the top of the fourth when Generose Torremocha’s hit brought Aila Sublado home, further widening the gap to 4-0. DLSU was able to limit UP’s chances as Joerjette Jordan forced three strikes from UP’s batter while the Lasallian defense stepped up to catch UP’s other hits. However, La Salle was not able to minimize the lead at the bottom of the fourth as Glecilyn Alipato and Jordan’s hits were caught by the Fighting Maroon defense.
Defeated spirits
The Diliman-based squad continued their scoring run at the top of the fifth. Francisco and Reuel Caoagdan’s hits allowed their teammates to get runs, 6-0. At the bottom inning, Eder’s hit was immediately caught as La Salle had an early out to their tally. Duller was awarded with a free walk to first base after she was hit by UP’s pitcher. Yet the move proved to be futile as Jazmin Visaya and Julianne Moral’s hits were caught, ending La Salle’s run in the fifth inning.
UP’s early hits in the sixth inning were caught by the Lasallian defense. However, Nickole Dela Cruz’s hit allowed Torremocha to get a run as the Fighting Maroons enjoyed a seven-point lead to end their sixth inning, 7-0. The Lady Batters were not able to get a run to end the game as Inot, Labargan, and Alipato were caught out by the UP defense, marking La Salle’s heavy defeat at the end of the sixth inning, 7-0.
Following this loss, the Lady Batters look to regroup as they prepare to take on the defending champion AdU Lady Falcons next Tuesday, March 11, at 12:30 pm at the same venue.
