La Salle bounces back in UAAP Softball, eliminates Ateneo from contention

De La Salle University captured a much-needed victory, eliminating Ateneo de Manila University in an 11–0, three-inning rout to bounce back in the ongoing second round of the UAAP Season 88 Softball Tournament on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

After scoring just four runs in the first two innings, the Lady Green Batters exploded for seven more in the third to put the game away for good.

The Lady Batters secured their second win of the season, completing a season sweep of the Blue Eagles after a similar 18–0 domination in the first round last February 28.

“Ang sabi ko, regroup uli tayo. Nung natalo kami sa UP masakit nga ‘eh,” said head coach Jasper Cabrera on how he reset his squad for this stretch of must-win games to keep their season alive.

“Kailangan kasi namin ‘yung second round, talaga ma-straight namin eh, para makabalik kami sa target namin na mag-top two. Kasi ‘yung expectation talaga naming mga coaches, kaya naman.”

Julian Del Moral drove in all three of her RBIs in the third inning, scoring Trisha Hicayen, Shein Espinosa, and Ciarina Eder to extend the lead to eight.

Jasmin Visaya added a double to send Del Moral home, while Cassandra Inot virtually sealed the win with the team’s 11th run on an April Gonzales sacrifice hit.

Joergette Jordan was solid on the mound, holding the Blue Eagles scoreless while allowing just two hits. The senior pitcher also struck out five batters to complete the shutout.

“Nakita naman sa score, breaks of the game lang. After no’n nag-training kami, kailangan bumalik kami; kailangan namin, one at a time. Ateneo muna, focus kami. Kailangang mag-click ‘yung hitting natin dito sa Ateneo para magkaroon kayo ng kumpansya against UST,” the concurrent Blu Boys head coach added.

DLSU will look to carry this momentum when it faces league-leading University of Santo Tomas (4–1) on Saturday at 11:00 AM in the same Malate venue.

Ateneo could not follow up the three runs they scored against the Softbelles, with Zyrah De Guzman being the lone Blue Eagle with hits, drilling two off Jordan.

The Blue Eagles are still searching for their first win after six tries and will face a tough schedule with games against Adamson University on Saturday at 9:00 AM and University of the Philippines on Tuesday at 11:00 AM.