IN THEIR THIRD game of the season, the Ateneo Blue Batters outplayed the University of the Philippines (UP), 14-6, in an almost three-hour long scrimmage on Sunday, January 13 at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Field. This gives the Blue Batters a 3-0 win-loss record.
The Blue Batters set up a solid wall of defense up until the fourth inning, not letting UP score a single run. In the fourth inning, rookies Renzo Ramos and Ryon Tionloc stepped in for Gab Bagamasbad and Miggy Santos to defend the right field and first base, respectively.
The top of the fifth inning began with an explosive one-run homerun courtesy of junior Matt Laurel. Laurel ended game with the most number of runs, scoring four out of the team’s 14 runs. He also contributed two single hits, five RBI’s (runs batted in) and two steals.
In the bottom of the fifth however, the defense of Ateneo fumbled, committing errors and letting UP score their first three runs, making the score 6-3. This prompted head coach Emer Barandoc to replace pitcher Andy Tan with rookie Miguel Salud. Tan had suffered a hit to his left rib after blocking a solid line drive hit by UP player James Legaspi in the bottom of the second inning.
Ateneo made up for their defensive errors in the eighth inning as they exploded for four runs care of Adriane Bernardo, Rapho Balgtas, Laurel and Dio Remollo.
Closing down the game was an incredible standing triple by rookie Balagtas.
“After losing to UP in a pre-season friendly match, the team really wanted to prove a point today,” said Tan.
The Blue Batters next face UST on Thursday, January 17, 7:00 AM at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
