Coming off a rousing opening day win over the UP Fighting Maroons, the De La Salle University Green Batters proved that there is strength in numbers as they carved a 7-2 win past the gritty National University Bulldogs, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
La Salle gained the early lead in the UAAP Season 81 Baseball Tournament, going 2-0. Meanwhile, NU drop to the bottom of the standings with a 0-2 slate.
“Happy naman ako sa naging performance nila, kaya lang kailangan pa ng maraming adjustments kasi may base-running errors kaya seven runs lang,” lamented La Salle head coach Joseph Orillana.
“Meron kaming sixteen hits, tapos ang left on base sampu. Kung na-convert sana into runs, easy win siya na regulation game,” he continued.
Though the quartet of Diego Lozano, Boo Barandiaran, Kiko Gesmundo, and Iggy Escano all had multiple hits in the contest, the rest of the squad could not sustain the momentum. DLSU saw their runners stranded most of the time.
The fourth inning proved to be pivotal for the La Salle-side as Gabriel Pineda came into the game and immediately started it off as he reached base off an NU error. Eventually, with Gelo Tantuico driving in a double, it gave the senior scoring position.
La Salle sent these two runners home. Then Diego Lozano, along with Boo Barandiaran, added two more runs to raise the lead to 6-1. The Green Batters consolidated their lead with good defense, as NU’s offense could not overhaul the deficit.
In his first start for the season, Arvin Herrera pitched seven innings, allowing just four hits while fanning five batters. Barandiaran closed out the contest.
On the other hand, NU rookie Joseph Carolino had a nightmare four innings, allowing seven hits and five runs. Clairon Santos, who had an excellent pre-season campaign, had five strikeouts in the last five innings.
La Salle look to make it three in a row when they face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Sunday, February 24, at 1:00pm. Meanwhile, NU hope to pick up their breakthrough win when they take on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Sox at 10:00am.
Linescores:
DLSU – 101 401 000 – 7 16 1
NU – 010 000 100 – 2 5 5
