THE UST Tiger Softbelles suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Adamson Lady Falcons via mercy rule, 7-0, extending their winless streak against the defending champions in the UAAP Season 87 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium on Saturday, March 1.
The Tiger Softbelles last won against Adamson in Game 1 of the Season 80 finals. With the loss, UST slid to a 1-1 record while Adamson improved to 2-0.
UST managed just two hits the entire game and committed four defensive errors.
“Siguro matagal lang sila nag-adjust sa outfield, kasi more on errors nila sa outfield e, parang unexpected fly (balls) dapat adjusted na sila,” UST assistant coach Esmeralda Tayag told the Varsitarian.
“Sa batting, tumatama naman, ‘yong contact ng batting medyo off sila ngayon. ‘Yong speed ng bat nila medyo mabagal pa.”
Adamson took the lead early in the second inning after Remilie Herrero reached home on a UST defensive error, 1-0.
Starting pitchers April Minanga and Mary Beronilla delivered strong performances to prevent both teams from generating much offense in the middle innings.
UST had a chance to equalize in the top of the sixth with two outs and Mae Teves standing on third base, but Helga Campos couldn’t capitalize after flying out to center field.
In the bottom of the same inning, Adamson extended its lead with Aliza Pichon’s two-RBI single, driving in Madeleine Domaog and Neomay Mahinay to make it 3-0.
Errors continued to plague UST, allowing Pichon, Alaiza Talisik, Mea Tubongbanua, and Mary Maguad to score, sealing the mercy-rule win at 7-0.
“Kailangan consistent ‘yong hitting nila para makapag-produce kami ng runs,” Tayag said. “Kailangan sunod-sunod hits tapos at least may nakatungtong sa base. Hindi kami makagawa ng diskarte kapag walang tao sa base.”
The UST Tiger Softbelles will look to bounce back against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the same venue on Saturday, March 8.
