THE ATENEO Baseball Team (ABT) conceded their fourth match in a row after falling to the top-seeded National University (NU) Bulldogs, 1-8. The battle on the diamond took place earlier today, March 29, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the City of Manila.
Following this defeat, the Blue Eagles currently hold a 3-6 win-loss record, sitting at fifth place in the team standings with one game left to play.
At the top of the first inning, the Blue Eagles showed signs of offensive struggle. Despite securing a line drive single, pitcher Waji Magsadia eventually got tagged by NU second baseman Kiel Olazo in his attempt to advance. With Dale Prades’s ball flying out to right fielder Kevin Maulit, Ateneo gave away the top first with no runs, 0-0.
Regardless of their defensive drive, the Blue and White fell victim to Olazo’s swift advancements on the bases. While shortstop Prades executed a fielder’s choice to second baseman Angelo Bernardo, Ateneo was still unable to stop NU’s Olazo from coming home, 0-1. Furthermore, the Katipunan-based squad failed to outpace Bulldog Julius Soriano before concluding the opening frame, 0-2.
The Blue Eagles’ offensive drought persisted in the top second as Anton Odulio and Bernardo were caught by NU through a double play. Yet to establish a footing, Ateneo endured two sacrifice flies in the bottom second, letting NU’s Charles Chua and Bryan Lagumbay score respective runs, 0-4.
The third inning saw both teams slow down on offense. While Alfy Tueres managed to advance to second base, the Blue Eagles’ attempt to secure runs was halted by NU’s double play against Tueres and Magsadia. Still, Ateneo leveraged on the Bulldog’s dry spell as the inning ended with two pop outs and a fly out.
With no runs on the board entering the fourth inning, the Blue Eagles kicked off the top half in strong fashion, as Prades and Odulio hit a double and a single, respectively. However, after the resounding opening, Ateneo’s offense sputtered, with Dax Fabella striking out and Bernardo grounding into a double play to keep the scoreline the same, 0-4.
After quickly giving up a single in the bottom half of the fourth, Osorio responded with back-to-back outstanding plays on the mound to secure the first two outs. However, a costly error at home plate allowed the Bulldogs to tack on another run before the inning came to a close, 0-5.
After Garcia took first base on a hit-by-pitch, the Blue Eagle offense came alive, with both Tueres and Magsadia nailing singles to load the bases with one out. A fielder’s choice from NU finally drove in Ateneo’s first run of the day, 1-5, before Prades struck out swinging to end the top half of the fifth inning. Playing with momentum for the first time in the match, the Blue Eagle defense contained NU’s offense, allowing no runs as the fifth inning came to a close.
Star NU pitcher Hilario Espina III continued his commendable performance in the top half of the sixth, retiring three batters in a row to keep the Blue Eagles with just one run, 1-5. Following their scoreless top half, a costly error from the Blue Eagle infield allowed the Bulldogs to extend their lead to five, 1-6.
Needing a chance to halt the Bulldog momentum, Osorio delivered with a masterful strikeout to earn the second out of the inning. A final flyout to left fielder Rafa Aquino capped the sixth inning, with Ateneo still trailing, 1-6.
During the seventh inning, the Blue Eagles missed their chance to obtain any runs due to an early line out and ground out by Tueres and Aquino, respectively. Despite Magsadia’s single against NU left fielder Lagumbay, Blue Eagle Francis Mendoza eventually popped out to second baseman Olazo. The bottom seventh saw a similar play as Ateneo took advantage of NU’s ground out, strike, and fly out to close the inning.
Remaining determined, Osorio doubled on a line drive in the top eighth to Bulldog Lagumbay. However, Iñigo Bartolome grounded out without letting Osorio advance. Unable to break free from the slump, Ateneo could not stop Lagumbay from circling all the bases in the bottom half of the frame to secure another run for NU, 1-8.
Despite the margin, Tueres stayed spirited and reached first on an error by NU shortstop Maulit. However, the second-year catcher eventually got tagged by first baseman Soriano, ultimately yielding the match to the Bulldogs.
Hoping to keep their Final Four chances alive, the Blue Eagles will face off against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Sox next Sunday, March 5, at 7:00 AM in the same venue.
The Lines:
Ateneo (1): 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 – 1 10 4
NU (8): 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 x – 8 10 2
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Bulldogs (7-2)
- DLSU Green Batters (7-2)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (4-5)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-5)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (3-6)
- UST Golden Sox (2-6)
