The UST Tiger Softbelles prevailed against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in eight innings, 4-2, to end their UAAP Season 85 softball tournament campaign on a high note at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Saturday.
After being scoreless through six innings, UST team captain Lyca Blanco scored a run and led the Tiger Softbelles to a 1-all deadlock in the seventh inning.
Ateneo only needed one run to secure the win in the seventh inning, but the Royevel Palma and Shyla Celis connection prevented the Blue Eagles from scoring and forced the extended inning.
Palma and Celis then scored back-to-back home runs before Aleona Langga reached the home plate to take a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning.
Ateneo, which squandered the 1-0 lead it gained after a Genesis Degolacion home run in the first inning, was limited to a lone run in the eighth inning.
“I think this is the game na mas maraming hit. Although sa last inning na sila bumawi, at least they showed they can do it better,” UST assistant coach Esmeralda Tayag told the Varsitarian.
UST secured the bronze medal after outlasting De La Salle University in eight innings, 3-1, on Tuesday, March 7.
UST ended the season with a 4-4 win-loss record. Ateneo and La Salle had similar 1-7 records to get the bottom spots.
UP and Adamson will battle for the championship. The league has yet to announce the schedule for the finals.
