Rookie Santos, National U send State U to 0-3 hole

The National University Bulldogs continue their amazing start to the season.

Last Thursday, the Jhocson Street-based squad connected early while rookie Clarion Santos won his season debut in a 5-3 win against the surprisingly win-less University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

With one out, NU junior Junmar Diarao connected with a double that sparked the Bulldogs’ first inning rally. Slugger Robin Libid was able to bring home Diarao after a two-out double to right field. Next batter Clarence Caasalan then brought home Diarao after a grounder to center field that gave the Bulldogs an early two run lead.

After struggling to connect against rookie Clarion Santos in the first two innings, UP co-captain James Legaspi connected with the Maroons’ first clean hit of the game, a two-out double. The next two batters were walked to load up the bases but a fielders choice resulted to a tag out of SJ San Juan at second base saved the inning for National University.

Caasalan again made his presence felt at the bottom of the fourth inning with a huge triple to right field. An error by UP right fielder Paul Fernandez led to the junior gaining home to extend the NU lead to 3-0.

“Tumatama lang talaga kami. Kumuha kami ng runs and hits nung mga unang inning,” NU head coach and local baseball legend Isaac Bacasiras said about the 3-0 start of his team.

A costly NU error though helped the Maroons go up on the scoreboard during the fifth inning. A catching error by first baseman Diarao gave James Legaspi base after one out. After SJ San Juan was hit by a stray pitch gave UP two bases, Mik Herrera brought in Legaspi with a single to put his team on the board.

Paul Fernandez was able to cut the NU lead down to just a single run in the sixth inning. UP’s right fielder gained base after a single and was brought home after a two-out single by rookie Mark Tuballas.

The Bulldogs though were able to get the run back and one more during the bottom end of the inning. Rodriguez walked the first batter Libid while Caasalan was hit by a pitch to give NU two bases. After the bases loaded up for NU due to another walk, an error by San Juan brought in two runs to give NU a 5-2 lead.

“Yung last na nagkamali sila nakakuha pa ng insurance runs. Insurance na lang yung last two,” Bacarisas added.

The Fighting Maroons were able to punch in one more run against Santos after a JJ Cinco double that brought home Fernandez in the eighth inning. However, Diarao, relieving for Santos, was able to close out the inning and the game, 5-3.

“Na-expose na itong mga bata. Unti-unti ng naexpose. Although yung first two games namin, yun yung pinaka practice namin kasi wala kaming field na nagagamit,” the NU mentor reflected about the game. “And deserving talaga mga rookies namin, tulad nila Santos yung pitcher. Na-develop at na-expose sila ng husto.”

In his first win in the UAAP, Santos gave up 8 hits but only allowed 3 runs. Moreover, he was able to strikeout two batters. He was supported by Caasalan on offense. Caasalan went 2 of 3, including a single and a triple, had two runs and an RBI. Libid was able to score two runs as well and an RBI.

The NU Bulldogs will face the Adamson Soaring Falcons next on Sunday, February 14 while the UP Fighting Maroons look to upset the Ateneo Blue Eagles on the same day.