THE UST Golden Sox crashed out of finals contention after yielding to defending champion Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 11-7, in the UAAP Season 81 baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.
UST slipped to fourth place with a 4-5 win-loss slate while Adamson improved to 5-4.
Golden Sox Mark Beronilla hammered a two-run home run to put UST down by just four before Adamson closer Christian Maigue grounded out Selda and Estera for the win.
“Nawala sa sarili ang mga players, nalimutan nila ang skills nila, walang palo. Sa last three innings, nakita lang nila ulit ang sarili nila kaya naka-seven runs,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian.
Needing a run in the seventh inning to avoid the mercy rule, the Golden Sox tallied four conversions, courtesy of Jayvee Selda, Arniel Villariquez, Benedict Pedracio and Adrian Aguilar, 4-11.
UST added another run in the eighth inning after Aguilar’s sacrifice fly that sent Ediver Estera back home, 5-11.
The Falcons started the first three innings scorching, scattering eight runs, courtesy of Richard Matic, Erwin Bosito, Lexter Carandang, Vince Terrible, Bryan Castillo, Gerald Riparip and Maigue, 8-0.
Adamson scored three more runs in the fifth inning via Steven Manaig, Bosito and Riparip to push the lead further, 11-0.
UST registered nine hits but seven runners were left on base.
The Golden Sox will try to end their season on a high note against the Ateneo de Manila University on March 20, Wednesday, 7 a.m., at the same venue.
