DESPITE A strong showing at the bottom of the fourth inning, the Ateneo Softball Team (0-2) suffered their second straight loss via mercy rule against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 2-9, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Softball Tournament on Monday, February 18, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.

The first inning looked promising for the Lady Eagles. Key catches from center-fielder Margaux Perez held up the defense while a powerful line-drive hit by catcher Jill San Juan to right-field got her to third base. A tag on Perez at home plate ended the inning on a scoreless note for both squads.

NU promptly took over in the next inning, jumping out to a 0-3 lead with a compelling 3 RBI hit by second baseman Rose Marie Banatao with the bases loaded. Right fielder Leila Tarroza added another point later in the inning off an error in the outfield to increase the lead to 0-4.

Ateneo put its foot down defensively in the third inning, grabbing three straight catches in the outfield to quickly get back at bat. Kat Santos made good use of her opportunity, hitting a high-floating shot to right-field that got her onto second base. A two-out play by NU shut down any scoring attempt by the Lady Eagles.

A high-scoring fourth inning then saw valiant performances from both teams. Banatao reached home plate on a Nicole Ordoyo hit, and the momentum quickly picked up for NU. The Lady Bulldogs unleashed three consecutive runs on Ateneo, racking up a staggering 0-8 lead before Ateneo returned to bat.

However, the Lady Eagles quickly answered back, starting off the bottom fourth with a walk from Therese Macasaet, a well-timed bunt from Perez, then a powerful slam from San Juan to the far end of center-field to get the bases loaded. A walk for Mia Laurel completed the play as Ateneo got on the scoreboard, 1-8.

Third baseman Yla Trinidad was awarded with another walk immediately after as Perez ran home to notch the second point of the game, leading to an NU pitcher substitution. With the bases loaded and with no outs, Ateneo looked poise to mount a comeback. But a soft grounder from Team Captain Gabby Macatulad resulted on a two-out play while Santos was unable to get a hit on the following play as the inning came to a close.

The fifth inning saw Noelle Dela Cruz and Perez keep the energy going, catching three consecutive fly outs in the outfield to put the Lady Eagles back on the plate.

Calming down her jitters after successive miscues in the prior inning, NU’s substitute pitcher Elsie Dela Torre made quick work of the Atenean batters, crushing any momentum with two fly outs and a strikeout to put the pressure back on the Ateneo defense.

Dela Torre and Pearly Lorca continued to step on the gas pedal for the Lady Bulldogs, scoring on a run to go up by seven at the end of the top sixth. Dela Torre then provided the finishing touches with her excellent pitching at the bottom of the sixth, drawing three outs from three batters to end the game for Ateneo via mercy rule, 2-9.

After the game, Coach Joy Lasquite shared her thoughts on the game, pointing out the team’s lackluster performance at the plate. “Medyo off kami ngayon sa paluan.  Nag-train naman kami ng sobrang hard. Nawawala lang pagdating sa laro, ‘yung mga pressure.”

(We were a bit off in our batting today. Although we train hard, it doesn’t show up during games because of the pressure.)

On their brilliant showing in the fourth inning, Coach Lasquite lauded the team’s focus and timing on the ball, factors which allowed them to capitalize on the opposing pitcher’s errors. “Nagsimula na mag-ball ‘yung pitcher ng kabila, kaya medyo nagka-confidence na rin tayo. At the same time, maganda yung tutok nila sa bola. That time siguro sila nakapagrealize sa sarili nila na kaya din naming makatama, na kaya rin naming maka-score,” the veteran tactician shared.

(The opposing pitcher started pitching balls which boosted our team’s confidence. At the same time, they had good focus and timing on the ball. They probably realized at that time they can also hit and score.)

Coach Lasquite further elaborated on the team’s lack of confidence, citing it as something to improve on in their succeeding games. “Magse-set pa sila ng goal para kung ano talaga ang gagawin nila sa sarili nila kasi we already guide them, but they’re the ones playing. They need to prove it to themselves that they can perform well. ‘Yung confidence kasi dapat sa kanila talaga nanggagaling.”

(They have to set their goals on what they want to do with themselves because we already guide them, but they’re the ones playing. They need to prove it to themselves that they can perform well. The confidence has to come from within them.)