For the first time in history, the Ateneo Blue Batters swept the first round of the 74th UAAP Baseball season, defeating all five contenders vying for the championship title in the collegiate baseball field. This assures the Blue Eagles a spot in the final four of this season. These are indeed exciting times for Ateneo baseball.

An air of tension enveloped the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium on January 26, as seasoned rivals Ateneo and De La Salle warmed up for the game to start. Sounds blaring from the drum lines of the opposing teams heightened this intensity.

Unlike their past four games, it was a slow start for the blue and white, as they ended the first inning pointless. DLSU scored their first run immediately. On the pitching mound was rookie Paco Tantuico towering six feet high, and behind the plate was co-captain Bocc Bernardo.

Ateneo retaliated by playing a strong second inning, scoring four runs via batters Matt Laurel, Gab Bagamasbad, Pelos Remollo and rookie and designated hitter Dio Remollo. This second inning would end up their biggest, as they would end the next three innings pointless.

The fourth inning turned out to be a frustrating one, as batters Dio Remollo, Andy Tan, and Bagamasbad were struck out consecutively. By the bottom of fourth, DLSU was able to score two runs, tying the game at 4-4. In the same inning, Tantuico was replaced by Adriane Bernardo on the pitching mound.

A lone run by Laurel in the top of the sixth finally broke the tie, giving Ateneo a one point advantage.

As in their past five games, Ateneo finished the game strong by scoring three more runs in the eighth inning, care of Bagamasbad, Pelos Remollo and Adriane Bernardo.

Senior Bagamasbad displayed excellent defense on the left field in the bottom of eighth. Bagamasbad caught all three hits by DLSU, which led to the end of the inning.

Batters Laurel, Pelos Remollo and Bagamasbad scored two runs each, while Adriane Bernardo and Dio Remollo each had one.

“[We’re taking it] one game at a time; we have to play every game like a championship. We’re working hard,” said Laurel.

A bright future is in store for the Ateneo Blue Batters. The second round is just around the corner and a lot has yet to unfold. With the way the team has been performing, another sweep is not impossible.