The UST Tiger Softbelles overpowered the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters, 7-2, to secure a share of first place and move closer to a finals berth in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament on Saturday, March 21, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
UST is now tied at the top with defending champion Adamson at 5-1, while DLSU fell to fourth place at 2-5.
Leading 3-0, UST allowed DLSU to cut the deficit in the fourth inning after an error by Samantha Sarsuelo sent Daniela Cabangon home, followed by Trish Hicayen scoring on Shein Espinosa’s single.
But the Tiger Softbelles regained momentum with four runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Ryza Zafra’s triple to left field, before she eventually scored on a passed ball.
Rookie Annarose Macatbag delivered a single to bring Helga Campos home, while hits from Jojielyn Lim drove in two more runs to seal the win, 7-2.
Macatbag powered UST with three hits, including doubles in the third and sixth innings, and an RBI. Lim also had two hits and three RBIs.
Celine Chang kept DLSU in check, retiring four batters while allowing only one unearned run and four hits.
UST will look to secure a Finals berth against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Tuesday, March 24, at the same venue.
