In their prelude game before taking on arch-rivals Ateneo, the De La Salle University Green Batters bombarded the skidding National University Bulldogs, 17-5, Sunday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| DLSU (3-0) | 4 | 2 | 0- | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 6 | |||
| NU (0-3) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
The win keeps the Green Batters’ slate unblemished at 3-0. On the other hand, the Bulldogs dropped to a disappointing 0-3 record.
Just like in their dominant win against the UST Golden Sox last Thursday, last season’s bronze medalists was on point in their batting, connecting on 15 hits while leaving just five batters stranded.
“Sa kin kasi, kailangan nila ilaban hanggang dulo para ma-carry over yung momentum heading to the Ateneo game. Importante talaga sa amin na magtuloytuloy kanina,” said La Salle head coach Joseph Orillana.
Lighting it up on the offensive end for the Green Batters were reigning Most Valuable Player Iggy Escano and Marist product Kiko Gesmundo.
Escano, La Salle’s first baseman, had five RBIs in the contest, highlighted by a three-run double that turned a 6-5 lead into a five-run lead in the seventh inning.
Earlier in the contest, Gesmundo slammed his second home run of the season, bringing home Boo Barandiaran as well during fifth inning.
“Nasa kanila na kasi yun kung panu sila papalo, malakas na sila,” Orillana remarked about his fourth and fifth batter. “Hindi nila kailangan i-overpower yung kalaban. Kahit flyball lang hinihingi ko sa kanila. Big hitters sila e.”
La Salle had seven more runs on six hits during the final two innings of the game.
Disaster however struck the Green Batters during the seventh inning. After senior Cholo Dominguez popped a double that brought home a runner, the left fielder fell to his knees as he dove. He was stretchered out of the game and did not come back.
“Sabi, may punit sa muscle pero papa-check pa namin sa doctor. Sana hindi torn hamstring kasi six weeks out yun minimum,” shared Orillana.
NU had one good inning in the contest, punching in five runs during the fifth inning. They could not sustain the momentum as Diego Lozano and the rest of La Salle’s defense allowed no hits the rest of the way.
La Salle looks to extend its streak when it faces arch-rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00am. NU, on the other hand, faces fellow winless team UP Fighting Maroons on the same day.
