THE SEVEN-TIME defending champion Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons proved to be too much for the Ateneo Lady Eagles to handle, as the Falcons cruised past the Lady Eagles, 9-0, via fifth inning mercy rule in their first-round matchup in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Softball tournament on Thursday, February 9, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.
Errors plagued the Lady Eagles, particularly in the third and fourth innings, where they gave up three and five runs, respectively. Starting Pitcher Kevyn Lacson displayed resilience on the mound, giving up just one run through two and ⅔ innings. However, the rest of the defense could not keep pace with their pitcher, and the team was not able to stay in the game.
The team also struggled to find their rhythm on the plate against Adamson’s ace pitcher Lyca Basa. Not only were they held scoreless, but they also failed to get a runner into scoring position in all five innings, and finished with just two hits for the second time this season.
Adamson’s nine runs came in just four chances on the offensive side. They scored a run in the first, followed by a scoreless second, and into their massive third and fourth innings.
Leslie Benabaye drew a 1-out walk in the first inning, stole second, and made it to third on a flyball by Nichole Padasas. Dely Covarrubias then smashed a ball into deep center-field, sending Benabaye home and registering an RBI-double.
The third inning saw the Falcons pour on three runs in similar fashion. With two outs, Flor Pabiania, Jeanete Rusia, and Gelyn Lamata each sent home a run on doubles with blasts to the outfield. Krisha Cantor nearly produced the same result, only to be thwarted by Lady Eagle Lucia Lorenzo who caught a flyball to right field on the fingertips of her glove.
The decisive bottom of the fourth started with a single, followed by back-to-back bunts from the Lady Falcons to load the bases with no outs. Padasas then scored a pair of runs by hitting a groundball past the infield. A couple of errors then allowed Adamson to tack on two more runs. Finally, the Lady Falcons capped of their afternoon’s scoring on an RBI-single from Rusia.
Ateneo was able to get out of the difficult inning without conceding anymore runs despite having already surrendered five runs. A defensive gem then stopped the bleeding, with a double play between Macatulad at second and Borromeo at first, closing the inning.
Coach Joy Lasquite was noticeably bothered by the team’s defensive struggles, pointing at the defensive errors as the sole culprit for the huge deficit. Moreover, she asked the team to understand the struggles of their teammate on the mound.
“Natural, [kapag] puro error ang binigay niyo, nado-down ang pitcher niyo (Naturally, if you keep giving errors, your pitcher gets discouraged),” she said.
It was the fourth loss in a row for the Lady Eagles (0-4) to start the season, leaving two more opportunities for the team to pick up a win in Round 1. Their next chance will be a game against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, 11:00 AM, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.
Editor’s Note: Right Fielder Abby Gutierrez went down in the first inning after colliding with teammate Bea Parma as the duo went for a flyball between right and center field. Gutierrez was stretchered off the field, but was able to walk on her own after the game. She will get her knee checked today.
