La Salle holds skidding UP to take second win

The De La Salle University Lady Batters are starting to find their groove, limiting the skidding University of the Philippines Lady Maroons to just three hits to take a 6-1 win, Monday morning at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.

This win lifts La Salle to a 2-3 slate, winning two of their last three games. UP, on the other hand, dropped to an even 2-2 record.

“Unti-unting tumataas na intensity namin at yung game nila na ganun,” said Lady Batters head coach Alex Estipular. “Sinabi ko sa kanila, ‘pagka nanalo tayo, tuloy-tuloy na yan. Nagbabago lahat, depensa at palo.'”

Ace pitcher Jamica Arribas (1-3) picked up her first win of the season, stifling the Lady Maroons in seven innings. UP’s only run of the game came in the fifth inning when Clarisse dela Cruz was able to take home after due to a fielders’ choice.

“Nag-click yung hitting namin pati yung depensa. Tapos yung aming pitcher konte lang binigay sa kalaban,” Estipular praised about the team’s infield.

On the other end, Ella Martinez (1-1) struggled during the second inning, allowing four runs on five hits that was highlighted by a two RBI double by senior Judy Macatangay.

Two more runs courtesy of Macatangay and Sachiel Amores in the fourth inning extended the Lady Batters lead. While Roselle dela Rosa continued to punish the UP fielding the rest of the way, going 3-of-4 at-bat.

“Umaangat na yung laro ni Dela Rosa at ni [Nica] Velasco. Maganda mga pinalo. Yung inaasahan ko pang tatlo, si Jen [Gomez], si Jam, at si [Pat] Belarmino, hindi pa consistent,” Estipular said, hoping they find their groove later on in the season. “Pag nagsama-sama yun, maganda na lalaruin namin.”

UP committed three errors in the game and had four runners stranded.

The Lady Batters will have a five-day break before returning to the diamond and take on the Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday, February 18 at 7:30am. UP takes on the same team on Thursday, February 16 at 9:30am.