The DLSU Green Batters displayed an unforgettable strategic gameplay to assert dominance over the AdU Soaring Falcons, 14-6, earlier today, April 6, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. Team Captain Agon De Vera was hailed as the Player of the Game as he rallied the Green-and-White to secure back-to-back wins.
Against all odds
At the top of the first inning, the Green Batters faced early alarm bells as Adamson’s James Nisnisan opened up the defense to advance through the bases. The San Marcelino-based squad filled the bases and maintained fluid rotation, allowing Nisnisan to make a run to take an early lead, 1-0. The Soaring Falcons sustained their pressure by taking advantage of the disrupted defense of DLSU. A timely hit from Kier Plaza set up Lawrence Mercado to make a run to home base, 2-0. In the bottom inning, DLSU’s batting story came short but not sweet. Although A. De Vera reached first base, the Green Batters failed to convert, resulting in a scoreless first inning.
The Green-and-White’s defense tightened in the second inning, forcing quick outs on Adamson. Liam De Vera made a strong attempt for a run but was denied as the Falcons’ defense held tight. La Salle struggled to gain footing, as two hitters were denied reaching first base, wrapping up another scoreless inning.
Opening the third inning, Nisnisan again took advantage of a pitch outside the zone from Peter Nonaillada, advancing safely to first base. The Green Batters then focused on denying further base advancements, with Ezykiel Bautista making a strong defensive effort. Despite minor lapses in their defense, La Salle ended the top of the third with no runs allowed as they looked to strike back in the bottom inning.
Yuan Sumague stepped up offensively, drawing a walk after some pitching lapses from Adamson. Momentum started shifting toward the Green-and-White’s favor as Adamson’s pitching faltered, awarding Barry Oñas a walk. With bases active, Adamson’s pitching woes eventually gave Sumague the opening to grab a run to get his team on the scoreboard, 2-1. The Lasallian team improved their offensive focus. A. De Vera was intentionally walked, a decision that backfired, as he ran to home plate after a good hit to grab the lead, 3-2.
Calculated run
In the top of the fourth inning, La Salle allowed Plaza on base intentionally. A missed catch enabled Nico Alig to reach second base, but the Green Batters regrouped with an infield grounder that resulted in an out. Nonaillada gave up another walk to Kean Matanguhian of AdU and a hit-by-pitch as Adamson got a run and advantage from their loaded bases, 4-3. Pio Villamiel started the bottom inning but was struck out before Joseph Alcontin managed to walk, reaching first base. However, the Green Batters were unable to secure a run from their advancements.
Jasper Crisostomo took the mound in the fifth as Joao Severino from AdU found his way to first base. The Soaring Falcons managed to sneak in a deep sacrifice fly to bring in a runner to home plate, 5-3. In the bottom inning, A. De Vera quickly advanced to first base. The Green Batters followed their captain’s lead and loaded the bases. With every base covered, La Salle made sure their hits were on point to unleash a six-run inning. Hits by Villiamiel and Alcontin unleashed the Green Batters’ blistering inning to tally six runners on the board to take the lead, 9-5. After a long rally in the fifth inning, both sides were unable to grab any runs in the sixth inning.
In the top of the seventh, the Soaring Falcons quickly earned a run as Severino advanced to third base and later into home plate, 9-6. DLSU’s defense struggled to tag the fielded Adamson players, but the Green-and-White tightened their defense with a double play, getting the Soaring Falcons out at first and third. In the bottom half, Sumague led the team with an earned walk, backed up with a good hit by Oñas. The Green-and-White capitalized with three runs, adding three more runs to extend their lead to six, 12-6. L. De Vera and pinch runner Bautista capped off the inning for La Salle to add to their commanding lead, 14-6.
In the top of the eighth, La Salle kept their defense on point as they tagged out the Soaring Falcons’ attempts. The San Marcelino-based squad could not break, ending the inning scoreless. In the bottom of the inning, Andres Lacson struggled at bat with two groundouts to second base, ending the eighth inning with no additional runs from either team. Jomar Villacruz played solid defense in the top of the ninth, denying the Soaring Falcons any advantage on the bases. The white shirts forced one out in the Adamson lineup, but Kurt Cabanillas managed to score a run, 14-7. Despite a late attempt to catch up in scores, the Green Batters’ solid hitting and steady defense, with minimal errors, sealed the game for them, 14-7.
Following the win, the Green Batters now hold a 5-2 record. They now set their sights on outsmarting their longtime rivals ADMU Blue Eagles, in their high-stakes showdown this Wednesday, April 9, at the same venue.
