With the National University Lady Bulldogs and the De La Salle Lady Batters refusing to budge, one error would have spelled the difference.
And that’s what happened Monday morning as the Lady Bulldogs eked out a 5-4 eighth inning win at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
“Medyo nakaka-tense, pero ang importante ay na-execute nung bata yung game plan – especially yung bunting,” shared first-year NU head coach Sid Abello. “Nahatid nila yung mga runner at bonus na rin yung manalo. Nagkamali man sila, naka-recover naman.”
After Mary Ann Ramos held La Salle on top of the eighth inning, the Lady Bulldogs were able to load up the bases against graduating Lady Batters pitcher Jamica Arribas. Arribas then panicked, pitching a passed ball that resulted in the walk-off run for NU rookie Ritchie Dabbay.
“Ang importante ay panalo pa rin. Sana tuloy-tuloy na,” Abello quipped.
NU picked up their third straight win to go to 3-1. On the other hand, La Salle fell to their second straight loss and dropped to 3-2.
But the Lady Batters also gave a good fight.
Falling behind by as much as three runs in the first five innings, La Salle stormed back in the fifth inning. A sac fly by Rhea Rosales drove in the tying run.
Elsie dela Torre earned the win, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing just two runs. Ramos had two strikeouts in relief duties.
La Salle rookie Nica Juan pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up six hits.
NU play their penultimate game of the round on Thursday, February 28, against the Adamson Lady Falcons at 11:00am. Meanwhile, La Salle take on the same team on Saturday, March 2 at 9:00am.
Linescores:
DLSU – 100 001 20 – 4 11 2
NU – 001 120 01 – 5 6 2
