AN IMPRESSIVE display of confidence blessed the Lady Eagles with their first win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Softball tournament, as the team snagged a 3-2 victory against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors on Monday, February 26, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.

Despite the low-scoring affair, the Lady Eagles fought tooth and nail for every run they scored and poured every last bit of heart into protecting a dangerously slim lead for the entirety of the match. Third-baseman Yla Trinidad was a vital presence on the diamond, providing a crucial spark on offense and defense, while ace Kevyn Lacson held down the fort with a cool-headed performance on the mound for seven innings.

Most significantly, in comparison to their previous games, the team supported strong showings at the plate with unblemished focus and poise on the field. The Lady Eagles completed an almost error-free game, proving the costly effect of defensive blunders in conceding unnecessary runs.

Beginning the ball game at the plate, the Lady Eagles made an immediate impact, firing the opening shots of war at the top of the first. Trinidad blasted her first of three hits with a double into leftfield and managed to capitalize off a misthrow from the UE catcher, stealing third and home for the first run of the game.

Looking to undo the damage, the Lady Warriors retaliated instantly half an inning later, courtesy of slugger Michelle Salvador. Despite Lacson’s best efforts, the first baseman whacked a rocket over the centerfield fence to tie the game at one-apiece with a huge solo home run.

Unfazed by the opposition’s heavy hitting, Ateneo found their groove at the top of the third, connecting a chain of hits for two hard-earned runs. Mia Laurel kickstarted the rally with a well-placed drop in shallow leftfield, with Angel Africa following up with a perfectly-executed sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to second.

Gabby Macatulad fueled the fire and further attacked the gap between left fielder and shortstop for a single that sent Laurel to third, granting the Lady Eagles a timely opportunity to reclaim the lead. Sam Baterina then connected for a grounder to short, and a slide to second from Macatulad beat the throw for the force out, which gave Laurel the green light to score and make it a 2-1 game. With two runners on base, Trinidad capitalized on the momentum and slammed another hit into leftfield, sending Macatulad sliding home to double the lead at 3-1.

Down by two runs, the UE side gave the Lady Eagles a near scare mere moments later, nearly turning the tables with their first major threat all game. Ateneo found themselves in hot water after a ground-rule double from Josephine Francisco and an intentional walk on Salvador placed two runners on base with one away. Trinidad led an escape from danger, orchestrating a double play with a force out at third and home to retire the Lady Warriors.

UE replicated the exact same situation in an attempt to change the tide at the bottom of the fifth. A consecutive single and double from Francisco and Salvador put runners on second and third, and an intentional walk on Niloban loaded the bases with just one out. Leading another miracle in crunch time, Trinidad once again made the save, catching a drive to take down the batter for the second out and beating the runner back to base for the third away.

The Lady Warriors, however, finally hit the mark at the bottom of the sixth. Back-to-back singles from Catacutan and Latina put runners on first and second, placing the tying run on base as leadoff Blanco stepped up to bat. The UE shortstop dropped a base-hit into shallow center, allowing Catacutan to make it home, but a throw from Jill San Juan to Trinidad got the tag on Latina at third to retire the side at 3-2.

Unable to gain any more runs of safety in their final at bat, the Ateneo side needed to hold UE scoreless at the bottom of the seventh to seal the win. Francisco gave UE new hope, catching the infield off their guard with a bunt to land safely on base. Facing a lethal batter as Salvador stepped up to the plate, the Blue and White infield prevailed with unblemished composure, as Macatulad and Baterina joined forces to execute a double play that took down both runner and batter.

Needing just one more out, the Lady Eagles then put the nail on the coffin, with captain Kat Villa-Real making a daring bid at leftfield to catch a flyball from Niloban for the final out of the game.

Playing an essential part of her team’s first win this season, Yla Trinidad praised the effort and resilience that the squad showed throughout.

“We all showed heart,” shared Trinidad. “We all knew we wanted to get this win, and it translated to how we played both on offense and defense.”

The Lady Eagles bump their win-loss record to 1-10 and play their last match of the season against the University of the Philippines (UP) on Thursday, March 1.