THE ATENEO Blue Batters maintained their perfect record after knocking out defending champions National University (NU), 9-2, thus sweeping round one of the UAAP Season 75 Baseball tournament last Sunday, January 20, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Blue and White got on the board early on in the game, after a 2-RBI (Runs Batted In) single from veteran Bocc Bernardo, who sent batters Adriane Bernardo and Leandro Banzon home.
In the second inning, captain Gab Bagamasbad hit a sacrificial bunt, aiding Miggy Santos and Pelos Remollo’s advance to second and third base. This was followed by an explosive 2 RBI triple by A. Bernardo. The second inning ended with Ateneo scoring four and NU with none.
NU was only able to score a single run in the bottom of the third.
In the fifth inning, designated hitter Dio Remollo stole third and eventually ran home. By the bottom of the fifth, starting catcher B. Bernardo was relieved by rookie Ryon Tionloc after the former suffered a strained hamstring.
In the inning that followed, rookie Rapho Balagtas and A. Bernardo contributed two more runs for the team, raising the Ateneo lead to 9-1.
By the seventh inning, Miguel Salud stepped in for starting pitcher Andy Tan. Tan pitched for a total of six innings, notching two strikeouts, nine walks and one run on seven hits. Salud, on the other hand, pitched for three innings, earning four strikeouts, two walks and one run on three hits.
By the bottom of the ninth inning, seven of the nine players in blue and white on the field were rookies. Although NU was able to score one more run in the inning, Ateneo’s lead was too big to overcome.
Most proud about the team’s accomplishment was head coach Emer Barandoc. “It feels good to be number one. We have to keep it up,” Barandoc said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Rookie standout and centerfielder Leandro Banzon added, “Sweeping round one feels great. But hopefully it’s not the same turn out as last year”. Banzon referred to last season’s UAAP Season 74 undefeated Blue Batters team that succumbed to NU by one run in their championship game.
“Sweeping round one is both scary and great. However, we should be more solid for round two,” said co-captain B. Bernardo, who wishes that the team avoids becoming overconfident. “We need to stay grounded.”
