THE UST Golden Sox crumbled against the National University Bulldogs, 6-1, to cap the first round of the UAAP Season 86 baseball tournament at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Sunday, March 10.
UST figured in a tie with NU after the game, ending the first round with a 3-2 win-loss tally.
After showing their batting prowess against Ateneo in their last game, the Golden Sox struggled offensively against the Bulldogs, tallying only four hits and converting only one into a run.
With UST still scoreless after eight innings, 6-0, Golden Sox team captain Steven Dominguez hit a grounder to left field that sent Mark Cabase to the home plate in the top of the ninth inning, 6-1.
However, with one out remaining, Dominguez tried to steal second base but was tagged out by NU’s second baseman Kiel Olazo.
“Silent ang aming hitting. Parang hindi sila naka-adjust sa kaliwete kasi all the way ‘yong apat na game puro kanan,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian. “Pinag-practice ko naman sila sa kaliwete kaso naging effective ‘yung pitcher nila against us. Kaya hindi kami nagkokonekta nang solid.”
The Bulldogs’ defense was led by their left-handed pitcher Amiel de Guzman.
Double plays in the top of the third, fifth and eighth innings robbed UST of potential runs that could have pulled them out of the 6-0 hole.
A sacrifice hit by Justine Rosales and a single by Dominguez allowed their fellow Golden Sox John Vargas and Timothy Caldo to reach third base in the top of the first and fourth innings, respectively. However, groundouts in the two innings squandered UST’s scoring positions.
It took three innings before the Bulldogs gained momentum, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third and one run in the seventh, 3-0, before they pulled away in the eighth with three more courtesy of Kevin Maulit, Herald Tenorio and Nico Calanday, 6-0.
“Aayusin namin ‘yong sa pitching kasi medyo sinking ang pitching namin. Then, improve pa namin ang hitting,” Santiago said. “Sa kanila, pag-iigihin pa nila ang pagpalo doon sa mga left-handed pitcher baka mamaya ma-scout kami, at second round, ‘yon ang gagamitin sa amin.”
The league has yet to announce the game schedules for the second round.
