THE UST Tiger Softbelles dealt the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles a 5-0 shutout in the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament opener at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Saturday.
UST catcher Tin Palma hammered a two-run home run in the third inning to stretch the margin to five, before pitchers Irene Lumanas and Celyn Ojare held Ateneo scoreless for the rest of the game.
“Nag-e-experiment pa ako sa depensa kaya marami akong players na ginamit, lalo na sa outfield kasi ‘yon ang may problema pa,” Softbelles head coach Sandy Barredo said.
UST’s Charlotte Sales punched in a left field fly run-batted-in triple in the third inning to send Hannah de la Torre to home plate, 3-0.
Trisha Tiozon and Jean Gustilo started the onslaught for the Softbelles in the second inning after hitting consecutive doubles that sent Palma and Tiozon back to home base, 2-0.
Lumanas and Ojare fanned five Lady Eagles while Ateneo pitcher Kevyn Lacson had none.
UST will next face the National University Lady Bulldogs on Feb. 21, Thursday, 9 a.m., at the same venue.
