The DLSU Green Batters completed a thrilling come-from-behind win, 6-5, over the UP Fighting Maroons earlier today, February 25, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
La Salle pitchers Jose Tantuico and Peter Nonaillada threw a combined eight innings while Liam De Vera shut down the ninth in the victory.
Storming back
Looking to start the season on a positive note, the Green Batters came out flat in the opening inning with Tantuico giving up a 4-0 run in the bottom of the first. Early command issues and two walks from the young pitcher allowed UP to capitalize on the sluggish start, fueled by an RBI single from VJ Mangahas, an infield error, and an Aaron Nicha RBI double.
However, La Salle immediately answered after a triple by Ezy Bautista brought home Miguel Agoncillo to give the Green-and-White their first run of the game. As Tantuico found his groove on the mound, he also contributed a double in the top of the third. An error from the second baseman in the following at-bat allowed the pitcher to reach home, cutting the deficit to two.
In the top of the fourth, errors from UP were the story as their pitchers lost command on their pitches. The Green Batters took advantage of the four total walks from UP starting pitcher Daniel Baldrina and reliever Ram Matanguihan to tie the game at 4-all.
After giving up a walk, Tantuico walked off the mound after his solid 3.1 innings pitched to make way for veteran pitcher Nonaillada. After shutting down the fourth, the latter allowed a walk to Eman Javier and a subsequent RBI single to Kobe Torres, relinquishing the lead to the Fighting Maroons, 5-4.
Returning the favor
Following the start of the sixth, De Vera tried to set the tone early, yet faltered to a groundout. UP stumbled through a fielder’s error, followed by defensive lapses that allowed Renato Samuel to narrowly escape a pop-up, securing two bases for the Taft-based squad. Pinch hitter Marco Flores launched an RBI double, sending Pio Villamuel home to level the score, 5-all. La Salle blew an opportunity despite occupying two bases at the end of the top half. In the bottom half, Nonaillada left the Diliman-based batters powerless as they finished the inning empty-handed.
DLSU made their move as Yuan Sumague moved up to first base, sending out an early baserunner to start the top. Paying his debt from the sixth, De Vera made a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing a Green Batter back to home plate, taking the lead for the first time, 6-5, rounding out the top half. Several offensive errors were what brought UP’s own undoing on the plate, leaving them vulnerable to the Lasallian defense, with elite pitching once more from Nonaillada in the bottom of the seventh.
Right off the bat in the eighth, Samuel set a lead-off double in motion, riding the momentum. Following a back-and-forth tussle between the two squads, Agoncillo advanced to first base, applying pressure on the opposite side of the diamond with two baserunners on the field. A swift response from the Fighting Maroons puts the Green Batters on their knees, soiling a two-run opportunity. Despite UP’s early aggression, another Lasallian defensive masterclass ensued as Nonaillada incited a double play, leaving the Fighting Maroons with no openings to claw their way back.
Looking to seal the deal, DLSU made an effort to hit the decisive blow; however, they were unsuccessful as Matanguihan shut down three Green Batters successively. In a shocking turn of events, De Vera stepped into the mound, replacing Nonaillada to finish the match on a high note. After dishing out premier pitching, he iced the Fighting Maroons to win it all for the Green Batters on a comeback, 6-5.
The Green Batters intend to build on this momentum as they clash with the UST Growling Tigers on Sunday, March 1, at the same venue.
