EVEN AFTER producing their highest-scoring game of the season, the Ateneo Blue Batters succumbed to a 3-run loss against University of Santo Tomas (UST), 14-17, on Thursday, February 7, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.
On a more positive note, this season’s first loss for the Blue Batters does not affect their number one rank in the standings.
Coach Emer Barandoc played to his strengths, utilizing his 18-deep bench. A totally different starting line-up and batting order was utilized for the game, as five out of the nine starters were rookies.
Rapho Balagtas played shortstop, Miggy Santos on first base, Renzo Ramos on left field, Ryon Tionloc as catcher and Justin Mathay on third base. Along with the rookies were veterans Andy Tan on the mound, Dio Remollo as designated hitter, Gab Bagamasbad on centerfield, Inigo Untalan on second base and Enzo Agcaoili on right field.
UST drew first blood, immediately scoring four in the first inning. Ateneo answered back in the bottom of the same inning, after a 3-RBI (runs batted in) triple by Tionloc tied the game 4-4. Tionloc was able to advance to home after UST committed a catching error.
In the fourth inning, co-captain Bocc Bernardo stepped in on the mound for Tan. However, it is important to note that Bernardo’s last pitching stint was back in his sophomore year which almost three years ago. During the game, Bernardo pitched for three innings, seven hits, nine runs, two walks and four strikeouts.
Ateneo’s big inning came in the bottom of the fourth, as they bagged a total of seven runs after capitalizing on UST’s errors to take their only lead of the game, 11-8. The España-based squad, however, answered back in the sixth inning with eight runs to retake the lead, 16-11, and eventually take victory away from the Blue and White.
Rookie Tionloc was a great asset to this game, contributing three runs, 5 RBI’s, a double and a triple.
UST will battle it out with defending champs National University on Sunday, February 10, in a knockout round to determine who will face Ateneo on February 15, Friday, in a best of three championship series.
