UST rides Jenny Teves big hit to edge La Salle in UAAP Softball opener

Jenny Teves delivered the game-changing hit in the sixth inning as University of Santo Tomas mounted a crucial rally to fend off De La Salle University, escaping with a 12-9 victory to open the UAAP Season 87 Softball Tournament on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Teves smashed a triple to left field with Ann Patricio and Teresa Blanco on base, capitalizing on a miscue by third baseman Julianne Moral.

The clutch hit allowed Patricio to score the tying run before Blanco crossed home plate for the go-ahead.

The win allowed the Tiger Softbelles to avert what would have been their first loss to the Lady Batters since the opening day of UAAP Season 77 — a 7-3 defeat back on January 24, 2015.

A costly error by right fielder Ciarina Eder led to two more UST runs, giving the Tiger Softbelles a commanding 12-8 lead heading into the final inning.

Sophomore pitcher Celine Chang, who initially started the game but was subbed out in the third inning before returning in the fifth, held off La Salle in the final frame to secure UST’s first win.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“Nag-improve naman kami from preseason pero kulang pa. Napaganda yung opening game. At least, nanalo kami,” said long-time UST head coach Sandy Barredo.

“Kulang pa sa exposure mga pitchers ko. Pinagpahinga lang ni Ann (Antolihao, pitching coach) si Celine. Buti naman, naka-hold,” added Barredo, who relied on Chang and freshman Shienna Europa to handle the pitching duties.

Both teams put on a hitting clinic, with the Tiger Softbelles collecting 15 hits while the Lady Batters tallied 10.

Rookie second baseman Helga Campos, first baseman Genesis Degollacion, and Teves each recorded two RBIs. Lead-off batter and graduating senior Lyca Blanco also went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.

UST faces a tough challenge in its next game on Saturday against defending champion Adamson.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

La Salle, led by the hot bats of Cassandra Inot, Tiffany Labargan, and Glecilyn Alipato, jumped to a 5-3 lead after three innings, forcing Barredo to pull Chang in favor of Europa.

Though UST managed to tie the game in the fourth, La Salle’s explosive fifth inning set the stage for the Tiger Softbelles’ decisive rally in the sixth.

The Lady Batters will look to bounce back when they take on Ateneo on Saturday.