DEFENSIVE LAPSES in the fourth and sixth innings plagued the Ateneo Lady Eagles as they dropped their final game, 1-8, via sixth inning mercy rule to the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Pasay City.
After the loss, the Lady Eagles settle with a 1-11 record for the second season in a row, with their lone win coming from their previous match with the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors on Monday. On the other hand, UP brings their record to 5-6, keeping them in the mix with the UE Lady Warriors (5-5, as of writing) and De La Salle Lady Archers (4-7) in the race for the final spot.
UP took an early 0-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Keith Ferrer and Jaz Movido hit back-to-back doubles to open scoring. Both teams held each other scoreless for the next two innings, as Ateneo failed to put a single runner on base after one completion of their batting order.
The Lady Maroons dealt a huge blow to Ateneo in the fourth inning, as Juliet Omul’s shot in the infield was fumbled, rolling past the boundary lines to grant her a double. Swing Dela Cruz received a similar gift from the Ateneo infield after an overthrow at first base, which brought Omul home to double the lead to 0-2.
Chantal Bongat beat out a throw to first after her strong grounder was mishandled. With runners on the corners, Gayle Suelto launched a high flyball to the outfield, bringing home Dela Cruz on a sacrifice fly to make it a 0-3 game. Another overthrow to first base on a bunt by Katcha Gomez put the Maroons ahead 0-4 entering the fifth inning.
Graduating senior Kat Villa-Real breathed some life into the struggling Ateneo offense with a line drive to open the top of the fifth. Rookie Kat Santos followed with a ground ball, managing to get on base via overthrow on a fielder’s choice attempt at second, which advanced Villa-Real to third. This opened the door for Bea Parma to cut into the deficit, as her drive dropped between right and center field for an RBI single and brought the score to 1-4. However, Ateneo failed to make any more damage despite having two runners in scoring position with just one out.
The Lady Eagles also failed to fend off the Lady Maroons’ hitting in the decisive sixth inning. With runners on second and third, Chiara Jimenez opted for a bunt that lead her to notch an RBI single off another overthrow to first base. UP tacked on two more runs on a 2-RBI double by Katcha Gomez that brought the score to 1-7. Ferrer dealt the final blow after her grounder bounced past the infield for an RBI-single to push the lead to seven and end the match.
Coach Joy Lasquite was disappointed after the loss, pointing out the girls’ big chance in the fifth inning as a wasted opportunity. “Kaya niyo manalo, pero nasa sa inyo ang paglaro (You can win, but it’s up to you guys to play for it),” Lasquite said in her final post-game speech of the season.
The game also served as the swan song for a quartet of graduating seniors: Team Captains Bea Parma and Kat Villa-Real, pitcher Nicki Borromeo, and outfielder Abby Gutierrez. After the game, the four took their final run around the diamond, then received a final surprise of pictures, messages, and flowers from the rest of their teammates.
