DESPITE FLASHES of excellence late in the game, the Ateneo Softball Team failed to get on the scoreboard in their 0-5 loss to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses to kick off their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 campaign on Saturday, February 16, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Coming off a 1-11 record last season, the Lady Eagles put on a gallant late-game stand against the Season 80 finalists to start off the new season.

It took a few innings for Ateneo to shake off the initial jitters. Even with the Lady Eagles garnering more hits than their opponents, a few costly defensive lapses allowed UST to build an advantage early in the game. The Lady Eagles began the game with consecutive flyouts from Therese Macasaet and lead-off hitter Gabby Macatulad. After a scoreless first inning, pitcher Kevyn Lacson gave up a two-run play in the second inning, allowing UST to draw first blood in the match. UST then went on to drill three runs in the third inning to deal more damage and increase the Lady Eagles’ deficit at 0-4 heading into the fifth inning.

The team slowly turned up the heat in the sixth and seventh inning, determined to bridge the gap and make a comeback. The Katipunan-based team showed defensive grit in the last two innings, keeping UST scoreless and making no errors in the outfield. Alisha Vergara came up with key plays down the stretch, making two good catches in the sixth inning and getting on base after a powerful shot out to leftfield.

The seventh inning saw the team rally back offensively, as they pushed to get on the board against UST; to start off, team stalwart Jill San Juan reached second base after launching the ball deep into centerfield. The Lady Eagles’ late game overtures were not enough as the Golden Tigresses clamped down and closed out the game at 0-5.

The infield errors early on were the deciding factors in this game; however, the team cited their offensive charge in the later innings as one of the few bright spots of the match. After today’s performance, the team looks primed to make a statement against perennial UAAP contender, National University, on Monday, February 18, at the same venue.

Editor’s note: The following changes were made to the article: UST went on three runs in the third and not two runs in the fourth. Alisha Vergara made two good catches in the sixth and not in the sixth and seventh. Kat Santos struck out in the first inning. Therese Macasaet did not field. We apologize for the oversight.