THE ATENEO de Manila University Blue Eagles banked on a strong third inning to turn back the UST Golden Sox, 9-6, in the UAAP Season 80 baseball tournament at Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.
Ateneo scored four runs courtesy of Marco Mallari, Alvaro Macasaet, Marquis Alindogan and Ryan Hilario which propelled the Blue Eagles to a 5-0 lead in the third inning.
“[Dapat] higpitan pa ang infield defense, walang problema sa outfield,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian.
Down 1-5 in the fifth inning, UST inched closer with two runs courtesy of Benedict Pedracio and Noriel Valencia, 3-5.
Golden Sox Captain Marlon Gonzales hit a left field run-batted-in in the eighth inning that sent Jefferson Vergara to home base, 4-7.
Ateneo nailed two insurance hits of their own in the eighth inning that sent Macasaet and Mallari to home plate for a 9-4 lead.
The Golden Sox slid to a 3-2 win-loss slate.
Second round schedule of baseball action is yet to be announced.
