The Golden Sox fell short in the 10th inning and succumbed to defending champions De La Salle University Green Batters, 10-9, to close out the UAAP Season 86 baseball elimination round at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Thursday, April 4.
The Golden Sox finished with a 4-6 win-loss record, while DLSU gained a share of the top seed with a 7-3 card to secure the last twice-to-beat advantage.
UST is now tied with UP Fighting Maroons and will face them in a playoff for the last Final Four spot on April 6.
The Green Batters were leading by two in the top of the ninth inning,8-6, until Golden Sox Marvin Trillana’s single scored team captain Steven Dominguez. After multiple foul balls, rookie Jesus Cabigao hit a line drive to right-center field to get to first base, sending Justin Rosales home to tie the game at 8-all.
In the bottom ninth, the Golden Sox’s infield defense held back DLSU and forced an extra inning as Cabigao tagged out Green Batter Jasper Crisostomo at second base courtesy of catcher John Vargas’ assist for the final out.
With one out in the top of the tenth, Golden Sox John Barsales popped a sacrifice fly to center field to score Mhigeil Cerda, giving UST the lead, 9-8.
However, DLSU’s Renato Samuel walked after getting hit by a pitch to load the bases in the bottom tenth, before Joseph Alcontin advanced on Golden Sox pitcher Harry Geronimo’s wild pitch, sending Johan Rentero to home plate for the tying run, 9-all.
Geronimo tried to force another extra inning, striking Green Batters Vince Flores and Joshua Pineda to get two straight outs. However, DLSU walked off with the win after John Segui hit a grounder to the middle that scored Ezykiel Bautista, 10-9.
The Golden Sox gained an early lead in the first inning, courtesy of Dominguez, Jaywill Badrina, Cabigao, and Rafael Regalado’s runs. In the second inning, Rosales scored a run of his own to put DLSU in a 5-0 hole.
The Golden Sox committed five errors and gave 10 walks.
As the Golden Sox prepare for their playoff against UP, head coach Jeffrey Santiago said that the results will come down to the team’s mindset as their preparations will remain the same.
“Nasa bata na ang mga yan. Hindi ko control iyong kanilang condition sa utak e,” Santiago told the Varsitarian. “Same lang ang [preparation]. Wala namang pinagbago. Of course, sana ma-condition pa rin ang mga utak ng mga ito.”
