THE ATENEO Lady Eagles squandered a two-run lead entering the fifth inning and fell just short of nabbing their first win of the season as they yielded to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, 5-6, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Softball tournament on Thursday, February 22, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Pasay City.
Ateneo’s bats were hot in this game, recording a season-high five runs highlighted by an incredible fourth-inning barrage, which saw ten batters bring in four runs. The team also pulled off a few marvelous defensive gems throughout the game, which included a pair of running catches from team captain Kat Villa-Real and a double play executed by Yla Trinidad from third base.
However, a few defensive errors late in the ball game, and the failure to bring in a run in the final three innings ultimately cost Ateneo the match, which was their closest chance at tasting victory so far in the season.
Both teams were able to tally runs in the first inning for an early tie. Roselle Dela Rosa brought home a run off a single at the top of the first for La Salle, while a bounce from Jill San Juan escaped the infield to bring home Gabby Macatulad half an inning later to keep the score locked at one apiece.
The Lady Archers began to build up a lead in the top of the third inning. Arisa Miranda found her way to third base with one out, and was then brought home by Mercy Arroyo’s drive down the leftfield line. Ateneo’s Sam Baterina could not snatch a hard hit from Jamica Arribas, which sent home Arroyo to put La Salle up, 1-3. Despite having just one out at this point, Ateneo was able to avoid further damage after pitcher Kevyn Lacson recorded a strikeout and Villa-Real made the first of her two amazing running catches at leftfield to retire the side.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Ateneo Lady Eagles produced their best offensive inning of the season. Bea Parma sparked the rally by outrunning a throw to get on first base, with Yla Trinidad knocking a ball into left field for a single to put two runners on base. Angel Africa then knocked a grounder past the gap between first and second to bring home Parma and cut the lead to 2-3.
Rookie Mia Laurel subbed in to pinch hit moments later and managed to draw a quick walk to load the bases with no outs. Leadoff hitter Macatulad connected for a flyball that dropped in shallow right field, sending home another run to tie the game at 3-3. Another successive error at the plate by La Salle then allowed Africa a free run home to give Ateneo a 4-3 advantage.
Baterina followed with another walk to load the bases with no outs, with Villa-Real seizing the scoring opportunity and knocking a ball to right-center to bring home Laurel and reward Ateneo with another run. However, in the same sequence, Macatulad was called out at home plate on a close tag, depriving the Blue and White of another run of safety. The Lady Eagles then left the bases loaded to close the inning after a San Juan strikeout and Parma pop-up.
La Salle quickly regained their momentum at the top of the fifth inning. Arribas brought in another run after hitting a deep shot to right field to cut the lead to 5-4. With the bases loaded with just one out, Lalaine Cunanan dealt the decisive blow, slamming a two-RBI shot to left center field that brought home a pair of runs and pushed La Salle ahead, 5-6. In a similar situation to the inning prior, the La Salle could not push the lead further despite the chance, though this proved to be enough to seal the game.
Ateneo was almost able to tie or take the lead with a golden opportunity in the sixth inning. Macatulad and Baterina got themselves on base via single and error, and Villa-Real’s groundout allowed the two runners to advance into scoring position. DLSU played their cards right with an intentional walk on San Juan, which loaded the bases with just one out. The Lady Archers’ gamble paid off after a double play off a groundball by Nicki Borromeo ensued, which effectively thwarted Ateneo’s hopes for a comeback.
With the loss, the Ateneo Lady Eagles drop their ninth in a row with just three games left for them to try to tally a win on their record. Their next chance will be against the seven-time defending champion Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons on Saturday, 11:00 AM, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Pasay City.
