THE UST Golden Sox came up short against the top-seeded DLSU Green Batters, 6-4, in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 86 baseball tournament at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Sunday, April 14.
The Golden Sox concluded their Season 86 campaign with a 4-6 record. They finished in fourth place.
An explosive start in the top of the fifth by Golden Sox Marvin Trillana and Mhigeil Cerda cut DLSU’s deficit to one, 4-3. However, UST’s momentum was halted after Alwyn Piñero’s flyout ended the inning, leaving the possible tying and go-ahead runs stranded.
An error by Jesus Cabigao in the bottom of the seventh propelled a two-run rally by Green Batters Pio Villamiel and Marco Micael.
With UST down three in the top of the ninth, 6-3, Justin Barsales reached home courtesy of a DLSU error, but a groundout and a lineout from Justin Rosales and Vargas shut the door for the Golden Sox, 6-4.
UST started the game driving in a run courtesy of a Harry Geronimo RBI single that plated John Vargas, 1-0.
The Green Batters responded in the bottom of the second inning after Ezykiel Bautista plated Joseph Alcontin and Vince Flores with a double, giving DLSU the lead, 2-1.
DLSU notched two more runs in the fourth after a couple of hits from Gelene Kajihara and Lord de Vera plated John Segui and the former, 4-1.
UST will miss the services of slugger Steven Dominguez, John Barsales, Rafael Regalado, Ceyjey Diesta, Junel Cruz, and Cerda next season.
