Adamson does not allow Ateneo to reach base for 69th win

Win number 69 was an easy one for the Adamson University Lady Falcons.

In a defensive masterpiece for the Ana Santiago-squad, Rifayca Basa and the Lady Falcons did not allow a single Lady Eagle to reach base in a 14-0 abbreviated fifth inning shutout to closeout the Wednesday slate of UAAP Softball games.

For the second straight game, Adamson sophomore Rifayca Basa started the game for Adamson University on the mound. In the four innings she pitched, she struckout four of the 12 batters she faced. In the final inning, rookie Arlyn Bautista was brought to the mound. The rookie made most of the playing time she was given in striking out the final three batters of the Lady Eagles.

“Si Basa yung in-eexpose ko na kasi isa siya sa mga natitira for next year. Tinitignan ko yung bola at pinag-aaralan ko,” Adamson head coach Ana Santiago said about the sophomore pitcher. “Maganda naman yung bola, konteng improvement na lang at puwede na for next year.”

On the other end, Ateneo sophomore Nikki Borromeo could not contain the high-powered offense of the Lady Falcons. The first three batters of Adamson were immediately able to gain base. A catching error by Ateneo’s shortstop Gabby Macatulad led to runs for Riezel Calumbres and Lorna Adorable. Gelyn Lamata then brought home Angelie Ursabia after a two-out single to give Adamson an early 3-0 lead.

The power of the lady batters from San Marcelino went on full display in the second inning. A double by Krisna Paguican opened the inning while a sacrifice fly by the next two batters brought her home. Adorable and Ursabia then connected on back-to-back two-out triples, the latter leading to another run that gave Adamson a 5-0 lead.

After a scoreless third inning, the Lady Falcons, utilizing almost all their reserves continued the onslaught. The Lady Falcons were able to pick-up three more runs before Annalie Benjamen connected on her first hit of the game: a triple. Queeny Sabobo was able to bring her fellow senior home afterwards to extend the Adamson lead to nine runs. The Lady Falcons were able to secure five more runs in the fifth inning to give them a fifth inning mercy rule win.

“Sabi ko sa kanila huwag sila mapagod at kelangan pa magtrabaho kasi kung gusto naming maging maganda yung result para sa amin, kelangan pagtrabahuan at it won’t be easy,” Santiago said about her team going into the second round of action. “Walang easy games. Importante ay huwag magpabaya yung mga bata at huwag lalaki yung ulo.”

Lorna Adorable was able to score a run in each of her at-bats with four runs. Riezel Calumbres and Queeny Sabobo both had two RBI’s each as well.

The Adamson Lady Falcons will try to extend their winning streak to 70 games on Monday, February 22 against the UP Lady Maroons at 1:00pm. On the other hand, the Ateneo Lady Eagles face the NU Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, February 20 at 9:00am.