Figuring in deep waters once more, the De La Salle University Lady Batters relied on a trusty veteran to send the game into extra innings before escaping the University of the East Lady Warriors, 8-7, in a nine-inning classic, Wednesday.
Badeth Benson, a former pitcher turned outfielder, completed La Salle’s rally from 6-3 down with a two-RBI triple in the seventh inning that sent the game into extra innings.
“Grabe yung tiwala ko sa kanya, nakikinig kasi talaga siya. Biruin mo pitcher yan at bangko last year, this year nag-cliclick na siya. Ganda ng palo niya pero siyempre may kasama pang dasal,” quipped first-year La Salle head coach Jasper Cabrera about Benson, who had three RBIs in the contest.
In the first extra inning, Chinny Ejar was able to bring home Gladelyn Alipaid to give La Salle cushion. However, indecision by La Salle’s fielders led to a run from pinch runner Jane Gurayon to extend the game once more.
A costly error by UE’s rightfielder in the next inning paved the way for the winning run courtesy of Arisa Miranda. Jamica Arribas then held the fort in the bottom end of the inning to seal the victory.
“Yung una, nagkumpyansa din kami. After namin maka-score ng tatlong runs, nag-relax na. Tapos yung pitcher namin bumigay. Buti nag-click si Arribas at hindi sila nagpanic,” recalled Cabrera.
Arribas, a graduating pitcher, pitched the last 6 1/3 innings of the game, striking out two while allowing no hits.
With the win, La Salle goes up to 7-3 to clinch a playoff berth in the UAAP Season 81 Softball Tournament. But the Lady Batters are not content with that, as they can go up to as high as a two-seed if they win their final two games.
“Hindi pa rin kami makukuntento. Nandun na yung Final Four pero kailangan pa namin mag go hard, dahil kaya namin mag-top two. Tinanong ko sila kung gusto nila mag-Top Two, sabi nila oo daw. Kailangan namin maka-isa against Adamson [on Saturday] or UST [or Monday], at pagtratrabahuan namin yun,” Cabrera shared.
Lovely Redaja’s no-relief game went to waste for the 3-8 Lady Warriors. They take on the Adamson Lady Falcons on Monday, March 18 in their last game of the season.
Linescores:
DLSU – 300 010 002 11 – 8 7 6
UE – 105 000 000 10 – 7 5 2
