THE ATENEO Softball Team conceded to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 3-6, earlier today at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Baseball Field. This loss drops the Blue Eagles to 0-3 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 standings.  

The game started slow as both teams exchanged catching errors.

Ateneo’s Genesis Degolacion then achieved a run early in the first inning which opened the scoring for the match. However, it was immediately matched by Golden Tigresses Erika Fernandez.

This was followed by a series of missed catches from the Blue and White side, resulting in a 1-2 score at the end of the first inning. Batting errors from UST and Ateneo continued in the second inning, with Ateneo failing to capitalize on a loaded base and UST giving up three consecutive strikeouts. 

Heading into the third inning, Degolacion opened the inning strong for the Blue Eagles with a home run to tie the match, 2-2. Although Ateneo began to find their rhythm on the diamond, their drive was slowed down as the Golden Tigresses showed impenetrable defense to prevent any further Ateneo runs.

With the game still tied in the bottom of the third, the Blue and White swiftly moved to catch flyouts, ending the inning with another stalemate, 2-2. Blue Eagle Mary Jane Beronilla’s impressive run at the top of the fourth inning gave Ateneo its third run and its first lead in the match, 3-2. 

Failing to pick up momentum from the fourth inning, the Blue and White had a short top of the fifth inning. Ateneo displayed strong defense, but the Golden Tigresses showed off their dominance on offense as they made four runs, breaking the game wide open, 3-6.

Despite numerous flyouts from Ateneo, UST intercepted all of them in the sixth inning. Then, Ateneo was unable to convert their hits to runs in the seventh inning, eventually giving UST the victory, 3-6. 

Looking to improve for the next match, Ateneo Senior Sophie Carsi Cruz shared how they see every game as an opportunity to improve their performance. “We are slowly building up the momentum [and] starting to connect little by little…we just have to use our heads more in the next game,” she shared.

The Blue and White will continue to look for their first win of the season as they face the UAAP Season 81 first runner-up De La Salle University Lady Archers at 9 AM on Tuesday, February 28, at the same venue.