AdU Lady Falcons’ streak reaches 50; blow out UP 8-1

The Adamson University Lady Falcons needed just 4 ½ innings to extend the longest active winning streak in Philippine collegiate sports to 50 in their 8-1 demolishing of the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons last Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The pitching battle between UAAP Season 76 Most Valuable Player “Big Ben” Annalie Benjamin and rookie standout Cochise Diolata started with both pitchers shutting out all the batters they faced in the 1^st inning. Benjamin struck-out two UP batters in the game’s opening inning.

The power and speed of the Adamson batting order proved too much for Diolata in the 2^nd inning as she gave up five runs and four hits. A double by Clariz Palma paved way for runs by Benjamin and Gelyn Lamata to put Adamson up 2-0. Then, slugger Queeny Sabobo hit a 3-run home run right into center field to extend the lead 5-0.

Palma further extended the Adamson lead in the 3^rd inning with a double that led to another run by Lamata.

The Lady Maroons scored a run over Benjamin courtesy of a Sella Mendoza single that led to a Danielle Cruz run at the top of the 4^th inning.

After this inning, UP head coach Francis Diaz waved the white flag as the Lady Maroons’ starting pitcher Diolata was subbed for the first time this season for 3^rd year player Angelica Palacol. Palacol, however, could not find her footing in the game as she gave up two more runs to give the Lady Falcons a commanding 8-1 lead. The game ended when UP failed to score a run at the top of the 5^th.

After the game, the humble coach of Adamson, Ana Santiago, downplayed the amazing feat her program has accomplished. “Hindi ko iniisip kung ilang straight games na kami nananalo,” she told us.

“Kasi kami we take it day-by-day. Ang goal ngayon is to get into the Final Four then pagpalain, Finals,” closed the humble coach.

Adamson super pitcher Benjamin was again on point during the game in giving up just a single run, two hits, and committing no errors. On the offense, Sabobo led the way with 2 runs, 2 hits and 3 RBI’s, including a 3-run HR. Palma also had 2 runs for the Adamson side and 3 RBI’s.

The Adamson University Lady Falcons next face the Ateneo Lady Eagles on Wednesday, February 4 while the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons look to get back on the winning track when they face the University of Santo Tomas Softbelles also on Wednesday.