| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| UE (1-1) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 1 | |||
| DLSU (0-2) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Last season’s fifth place finishers, the University of the East Lady Warriors, almost coughed up a five-run lead, holding on to take a 5-4 win against tournament hosts De La Salle University Lady Batters, Monday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.
The win puts the UE in the win column at 1-1, while La Salle falls to 0-2. And it was a much-needed win after having absorbed an 11-0 abb. 6th, loss to the University of the Philippines last Saturday.
“Very important. Akala namin mananalo kami nung Saturday kasi nga nawala yung number one pitcher nila, si [Cochise] Diolata. Hindi kami sanay sa mahina [na pitch],” reflected second-year head coach Edzel Bacarisas. “Kahapon nga, sobrang low morale yung team. Ngayon, determinado kaming manalo at nagawa nila yung pinractice namin.”
The Lady Warriors vented their frustration on the Lady Batters as they went swinging for the fences during the first four innings of the game. UE were able to put up four runs on six hits during that span, highlighted by a two-run homer by Imee Salvador.
Salvador went 2-of-3 at-bat, punching in a run with 2 RBIs. Catcher Roxzell Niloban went 3-of-4 as well, including a triple prior to the Salvador home run.
UE’s starting pitcher Lovely Redaja (1-0) also locked down the La Salle offense, allowing just one hit in the first five innings while striking out three batters.
“Si Lovely ngayon, nag-mature na. Last year si Lovely, yung bato niya hindi talaga accurate, nag-wiwild [pitch]. Pero nakita ko naman na gusto talaga niyang mag-improve,” Bacarisas remarked about his pitcher.
A Mary Joy Catacutan run, coming off a La Salle error during the top of the sixth inning, proved to be pivotal for UE.
“Hindi rin basta-basta yung La Salle. May pangdiin sila,” the youthful mentor shared.
La Salle sparked a huge rally at the bottom of the sixth inning. Redaja’s pitches became hittable as the Lady Batters chipped in singles. A Jamica Arribas single paved the way for a Jen Gomez run that capped a four-run inning.
“Very tough game. Lamang na lamang kami mula first inning hanggang fifth inning. Kontrolado namin yung laro but si Lovely bumigay. Napagod ata or na-pressure kasi may nakapasok,” Bacarisas shared.
Reliever Elvie Senangote was able to secure the three outs they needed to close out the inning. Then in the last inning, the UE defense held up to seal their first win of the season
“Yung pinalit namin si Elvie [Senangote], naka-hold naman,” he added.
Bernadette Benson (0-1) gave up all of UE’s runs.
The Lady Warriors had eight hits in the game but left six runners on base.
UE will next face the Adamson Lady Falcons (1-0) on Thursday, February 9, at 11:00am, while La Salle take on rivals Ateneo on the same day at 1:00pm.
