THE UST Tiger Softbelles decimated the Ateneo Blue Eagles in four innings, 10-1, to keep their podium hopes alive in the UAAP Season 87 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium on Tuesday, March 25.
With one game left in the elimination round, UST improved to a 3-4 slate, tying the DLSU Green Batters for third place. Meanwhile, Ateneo finished at the bottom of the standings, going winless through eight games.
To avoid a playoff for bronze, the Softbelles will have to win against the UP Fighting Maroons and DLSU will have to lose to league-leading Adamson University (7-0) on Saturday, March 29.
UST assistant coach Esmeralda Tayag expressed confidence that the Softbelles are in “peak” shape but emphasized that chemistry will be crucial in upending UP, which holds the second spot with a 5-4 record.
“Nasa peak naman sila. They just need to solidify their connections and teamwork,” she said. “Pero lalaban ‘yang mga ‘yan.
Ateneo logged the opening run in the top of the first inning, as the graduating Rocio Macasaet hit a leadoff double, allowing her to cross home plate after a Czelle Basa single.
The Softbelles answered immediately, with Aiza Ganciar scoring a run and Jojielyn Lim’s runs-batted-in (RBI) double driving Ryza Zafra home for the lead, 2-1.
In the same inning, rookie Anne Patricio reached first base to score Lyca Blanco, extending the lead to 4-1.
UST continued the onslaught in the bottom of the second frame as Erika Fernandez, Ganciar, and Zafra each scored to make it, 7-1.
After a scoreless third inning, Blanco’s leadoff triple paved the way for herself, Patricio, and pinch hitter Mae Teves to cross home plate, ending the game via mercy rule, 10-1.
UST starter Celine Chang helmed the defense with an excellent outing on the mound, pitching a complete game with a season-high nine strikeouts while only allowing just one run and three hits.
After struggling with errors in its previous two losses, UST committed no errors in this game, following a defensive reshuffle that saw several players moved to new positions.
The Tiger Softbelles will face the second-seeded UP Fighting Maroons in the final game of the elimination round at the same venue on Saturday, March 25, at 10 a.m.
