THE ATENEO Blue Eagles conceded to nine-time defending champions Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, 0-6, in their first second round match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Softball Tournament. Later in the day, the Blue and White later suffered a heartbreaking loss to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Batters, 1-3. These back-to-back losses against AdU (5-1) and DLSU (1-5) bring Ateneo’s overall win-loss record down to 1-5.
Both matches were held earlier today at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Baseball Field.
AdU match
In the first inning, the Lady Falcons were able to escape with two runs, 2-0, to register an early lead against the Blue Eagles. Although Ateneo attempted to score runs of their own, AdU’s defensive strategy overpowered the Blue and White’s bid for a bottom-inning comeback.
AdU sustained their lead even further heading into the second inning with two runs in one bat, 0-4. Meanwhile, despite having all their bases loaded on offense, the Blue Eagles failed to convert this advantage into runs.
However by the third inning, Ateneo elevated its position on defense to swiftly catch flyouts on the Lady Falcons’ end—preventing Adamson from increasing its lead, 0-4. More batting errors from both teams had the fourth inning close with no scored runs.
Come the fifth inning, the Blue and White disrupted the Lady Falcons’ momentum as Julia Carsi-Cruz caught an AdU flyout, 0-4. However, Blue Eagle Sophia Carsi-Cruz was eventually ruled out despite posting an outstanding flyout.
Even with an improved showing of defensive plays, catching errors by the Blue Eagles allowed AdU to get away with an impressive home run by Lady Falcon MJ Maguad in the sixth inning, 0-5. Adamson then sealed its win with another home run by Angelu Gabriel in the seventh inning, 0-6.
DLSU match
Eager to secure another win against their archrivals, the Blue Eagles kicked off their game against DLSU on defense, but catching errors by Ateneo gave the Lady Batters an easy opening to score their first run, 0-1. Despite DLSU having all its bases loaded as early as the top of the first inning, Ateneo’s defense proved to be effective as it limits its opponents from carding another run.
While the Blue Eagles began the second inning with two consecutive ground ball hits, Rocio Macasaet dropped in to score Ateneo’s first run—equalizing the match at 1-1.
In the second inning, although rookie Katrina Ditchon received two consecutive strikeouts, Ateneo still managed to limit DLSU to three batters. The Blue and White then upped their defense with a smart double play to close out the top of the third inning, 1-1. Blue Eagle Genesis Degolacion then opened the bottom third inning with a one-base hit, while Macasaet reached third base.
Until the bottom of the fourth inning, Ateneo and DLSU struggled to climb further on the scoring column as both teams showcased exceptional defense. However, DLSU eventually managed to achieve a run after punching in a flyout at the top of the fifth inning, 2-1.
Ateneo’s Germaine Guinto then took advantage of the Lady Batters’ catching errors to reach first base by the bottom of the fifth inning. Despite this, the Blue Eagles still failed to convert its powerful hits into runs, 1-2.
Shortly after, DLSU entered the sixth inning with another run even after having carded two outs prior, 1-3. Blue Eagle Martina Nacion then caught a flyout on the Lady Batters’ end to extend Ateneo’s shot at redemption. A series of good hits from Ateneo were eventually deemed insufficient to turn the game in the Blue Eagles’ favor as DLSU limited them to three batters.
The tight match ended in DLSU’s favor, 1-3.
The Blue Eagles will look to bounce back with a win against the UP Fighting Maroons at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, March 7, at the same venue.
