| SCOREBOARD |
| FINAL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| AdU (1-4), 6th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| NU (2-3), 3rd-5th | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
In a game that was an offensive struggle for both teams, the Adamson Soaring Falcons found luck on their side in a 4-3 win over the NU Bulldogs last Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The National University defense was on full display in the first two innings of the game in giving up just two hits. NU starting pitcher Ronel Peralta also struck out two AdU batters during that span. Meanwhile, Adamson’s Raymond Matic gave up just a single hit in the first two innings.
Scoring picked up in the third inning for the Soaring Falcons. With one out, Erwin Bosito hit a double while Manuel Navasero was able to advance to first base. Melvin Rosita then hit a 2 RBI double that put Adamson up 2-0.
The Bulldogs were then able to cut the deficit in half at the bottom of the fourth inning when rookie Keneth Ybañez was able to score a run coming from an Adamson pitching error.
Adamson starting pitcher Matic was subbed out at the bottom of the fifth for rookie Marvin Camposanto. Camposanto gave up just a single hit in the three innings he pitched, including a strikeout.
For the NU side, Ronel Peralta continued to be a stingy pitcher as he only gave up two hits from the fifth to the eighth innings. Moreover, he struck out three more Adamson batters, for a total of seven SO’s for the day.
The NU Bulldogs were finally able to take the lead in the eight inning. Clarence Caasalan, Ybañez, and Ericson Villame loaded the bases, then Alfredo de Guzman hit a 2 RBI single that gave NU the lead, 3-2. The NU coaching staff rejoiced as the team might finish the 1st round at solo second. But as cliché as it sounds, Lady Luck was not with them.
The Bulldog defense immediately kicked an Adamson player out at first base for first out. Eric Gesmundo hit a single after. Two other singles by Kyie Villafana and Bosito loaded the bases. Navasero was then hit by a pitch that led to a Gesmundo run. Rosita was then walked due to balls for a Villafana run. The inning ended with Adamson back on top 4-3.
Lourence Ruiz closed out the game for the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the ninth inning. Julius Mondragon was putout at first base. Singles by Junmar Diarao and Caasalan gave NU two bases with just an out. However, two flyballs caught by the Adamson fielders signified the end of the game.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons’ next game will be against the Ateneo de Manila Blue Batters on Wednesday, February 12 at 7am, while the NU Bulldogs will face the DLSU Green Batters after. Both games will be played at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
