THE UST Golden Sox rode on a seven-run third inning to upset the De La Salle University Green Batters, 11-6, and grab solo second in the UAAP Season 79 baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Wednesday.
Following a 3-3 deadlock, the Golden Sox banked on conversions from Kirk Daquis, Marlon Gonzales, Kirk Peralta, Noriel Valencia, Max Mercado, Kristian Angeles and Ron Christian Dela Cruz to bury La Salle, 10-3.
UST rookie pitcher Ian Llave came out big leaving La Salle scoreless from the second to sixth innings. Reliever pitcher Dela Cruz played the remaining innings and registered four strikeouts.
“Sadyang maganda lang ‘yung opensa nung third inning at sinadya rin namin na hindi kaliwete ang gamiting pitcher dahil ayun ang pinaghandaan ng La Salle. Maganda rin ang pinakita ng mga veterans lalo na sa opensa,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago said in an interview.
La Salle scored three points in the seventh and eighth innings but UST’s lead was too large to overcome.
The Golden Sox built a 3-0 lead in the opening inning before La Salle equalized the match with three conversions from Paolo Salud, Ignacio Escano and Francis Gesmundo.
The Golden Sox (5-2) will face the University of the Philippines on March 5, Sunday, at the same venue.
