La Salle outmuscles Adamson in shutout

After two disappointing games to start the season, the De La Salle University Green Batters finally showed why they are one of the top contenders to take home this year’s crown.

Boo Barandiaran and the Green Batters dominated a lackadaisical Adamson University Soaring Falcons squad in a shutout, 10-0, in an abbreviated seventh inning win to open the Thursday slate of games at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Adamson starting pitcher of the game Melvin Rosita struggled to find his pitch to open the game. The Adamson captain pitches were quickly blasted by lead-off batter Francis Salud and Diego Lozano, the latter a double that brought home Salud that immediately placed the Green Batters on the scoreboard. Sophomore Jonathan Park connected with a single later on that led to a Lozano run to gain a 2-0 lead.

After giving up another two hits in the second inning, Rosita was relieved of pitching duties at the top of the third inning for Lourence Ruiz. Ruiz though did not find success either. The Adamson senior struckout the first two batters but walked Carlos Minana. A two-out single by Paul Naguit and a walk by Josh Salinas loaded the bases up for the Green-and-White. Another walk of the next batter gave Minana a run while a single by Salud led to two more runs to end the inning with an emphatic 5-0 lead.

The Green Batters defense was in-sync all throughout the game as well. Anchored by last season’s rookie of the year Boo Barandiaran, the defense only gave up four hits for the entire game. Moreover, a huge double play by the La Salle fielding in the fifth inning completely demoralized the Soaring Falcons.

“Maganda yung pinukol ng pitcher namin at the same time nadepensahan din nung taya (infield and outfield),” coach Joseph Orellana said about the dominant win. “Since maganda yung pinukol ng pitcher natin, dapat tulungan din ng palo.”

The Green Batters were able to pick up five more runs at the top end of the seventh inning highlighted by a single by Josh Salinas that paved the way for two more runs. At the bottom end of the inning, the Soaring Falcons tried to delay the La Salle party. A single by Adamson’s Mark Manaig and a walk of Bryan Castillo gave the Soaring Falcons two bases. However, Barandiaran calmly struck out the next three batters to end the game via mercy rule.

Lead-off batter Francis Salud was 3 of 4 for the night with three singles and two RBIs. Josh Salinas was 1 of 3 and was able to bring home two runners. On the defensive end, Boo Barandiaran gave up only four hits in the game, all singles, and struckout four batters as well.

The DLSU Green Batters next face the UST Golden Sox (1-2) on Sunday, February 14 at 7am while the Adamson Soaring Falcons face the NU Bulldogs later in the day.