UST ends UAAP Softball first round strong, outslugs Ateneo

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas closed out the first round of the UAAP Season 87 Softball tournament on a winning note, defeating Ateneo de Manila University, 14-6, in six innings, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Despite a challenging 0-3 loss earlier in the day to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, the Tiger Softbelles capitalized on the strong lead they established last Saturday to finish the round with an even 2-2 record.

UST held a commanding 10-3 lead at the bottom of the third inning when the game was halted due to incessant rain last Saturday. Using that advantage as momentum, the Softbelles pushed through to secure the win despite a determined effort from the Blue Eagles.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“More on errors ‘eh kaya naman nananalo ‘yung kalaban eh — against UP and against Adamson — puro errors lang ini-score nila. We also lack batting, so we need to practice more sa batting,” said head coach Sandy Barredo, reflecting on his squad’s inconsistent first-round campaign.

With these issues in mind, UST aims to address their defensive lapses and improve their batting ahead of the second round, which is set to begin on Saturday at 8 a.m. The official schedule for the second round is expected to be released on Wednesday.

“Magfo-focus kami sa defense para ma-avoid ‘yung mga errors. And, most especially, ‘yung offense namin, kailangan rin namin ng palo,” Barredo added.

Anne Patricio led UST’s offensive onslaught, recording three hits in four at-bats, including an RBI that brought home Teresa Blanco in the sixth inning. All UST batters registered at least one hit, with Erica Fernandez driving in three RBIs, two of which came in the opening inning.

Rookie pitcher Shenna Mae Europa earned her first-ever UAAP victory, allowing just three earned runs on six hits in her 3.2 innings pitched. Fil-Chinese pitcher Chang Chih-Ling closed out the game, surrendering only one run and one hit from Noelle Franco.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Ateneo, now at 0-4, found some rhythm offensively with Rocio Macasaet sparking their effort with a solid hit to left field. Macasaet added another hit in the third inning, while Franco matched her with two hits of her own.

Franco also contributed two RBIs in Ateneo’s fourth-inning push, scoring Jess Daquigan and Fiona Baguinet. However, UST responded with four runs in the following two innings, keeping Ateneo at bay.

Despite Daquigan and the Blue Eagles settling down in the fourth and fifth innings, the damage had already been done. UST’s explosive start, highlighted by 11 of their 18 hits in the first three frames, resulted in 10 runs — five of which were earned — leaving Ateneo unable to recover.