THE UST Tiger Softbelles faltered against the defending champions Adamson Lady Falcons, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 86 softball tournament at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Wednesday, February 28.
With her team trailing 3-0 in the sixth inning, UST newcomer Helga Campos had an opportunity to tie the game following a fielding error and a base hit by Mharnie de la Cruz, which advanced Campos and Jojielyn Lim to first and second base, respectively.
However, Adamson’s April Minanga struck Campos out on three pitches to cap her sixth strikeout and complete the shutout win.
UST ace Royevel Palma held Adamson scoreless until the top of the third as Lady Falcon Angelu Gabriel hit a run-batted-in (RBI) double base hit that sent Aliza Picho home and an RBI single by Mary Maguad that allowed Gabriel to make it a 2-0 lead.
Remie Herero gave Adamson a comfortable 3-0 lead after a sacrifice fly scored Neomay Mahinay in the top of the fourth inning.
“Ang kinulang sa amin is ‘yung batting,” UST assistant coach Esmeralda Tayag told the Varsitarian. “Although may mga timing naman sila, ‘yung mga solid hits ‘yung hinahanap namin na nawala.”
“Sa mga remaining days bago ang next game namin against UP, tututukan namin sila sa paluan. Kahit magaling depensa mo, kung wala kang palo matatalo ka pa rin.”
Palma struck out four Adamson batters despite allowing three runs, while Adamson’s Minanga struck out six Softbelles en route to the shutout.
The UST Tiger Softbelles will next face the UP Fighting Maroons at the same venue on Mar. 6, Wednesday, at 5 p.m.
