THE UST Tiger Softbelles advanced to their fourth-straight finals appearance after edging out the twice-to-beat De La Salle University Lady Batters, 9-2, in the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Monday.
UST pitcher Celyn Ojare took care of La Salle’s final three batters at the top of the fifth inning to activate the mercy rule.
“Nasa amin ang momentum since nakuha namin ang first game, ‘yong morale ng mga bata maganda. Nag-deliver ang mga bata, nag-click lahat ng plays namin,” Softbelles head coach Sandy Barredo said.
Down 0-2 at the bottom of the second inning, UST started the comeback trail with a bunt by Tanya Belaño that sent Lealyn Guevarra back home, 1-2.
Ojare followed with a grounder to the right field that brought Trisha Tiozon and Belaño to home base for the lead, 3-2.
In the third inning, the Softbelles pounced four more runs courtesy of Mharnie de la Cruz, Tin Palma, Guevarra and Tiozon to inflate the lead, 7-2.
Softbelles Hannah de la Torre and de la Cruz reached home plate to put the finishing touches in the fourth inning, 9-2.
UST pitchers Irene Lumanas and Celyn Ojare only allowed two hits while La Salle’s Kiana Juan gave seven hits.
The Softbelles will face eight-time defending champion Adamson University in a best-of-three finals series that will begin on March 29, Friday, 8:30 a.m., at the same venue.
