The UST Golden Sox drubbed the National University Bulldogs, 11-6, to inch closer to sweeping the second round of the UAAP Season 85 baseball tournament at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Wednesday.
Leading by three in the top of the ninth inning, 9-6, the Golden Sox converted two insurance runs after Bryan Camarsi’s line-drive to right field that sent Ceejay Diesta home and John Vargas’s run-batted-in (RBI) groundout plated Camarsi, 11-6.
Golden Sox closing pitcher John Barsales struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth inning, sealing UST’s fourth-straight win.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, pag na-sweep namin ‘tong second round, i-treat ko sila like a champion team. Alam ko ‘yung kapasidad nila e,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian. “Talagang nagsusumikap [sila]. Gustong manalo. Tibay ng loob, nandoon na. Sunod-sunod ang panalo namin.”
The Golden Sox dominated the top of the third inning as they scored four runs against NU’s pitcher Amiel de Guzman capped off by Justine Rosales’s two-run homer to center field that scored Vargas, 4-1.
Down by four in the bottom of the seventh inning, 3-7, Bulldog Kenneth Maulit drove a two-run homer into centerfield, 5-7, before Kent Altajeros homered off Reynante Aransanzo’s sacrifice bunt to cut the lead to one, 6-7.
In the top of the eighth inning, Golden Sox Justin Rosales hit a sharp grounder into left field to send team captain Migheil Cerda to home plate, before Rosales scored off Jayvee Selda’s line drive RBI single to pull away, 9-6.
The Golden Sox scored seven runs against reigning UAAP Best Pitcher MJ Carolino. They recorded 18 hits and only committed two errors.
UST stayed at fourth place with a 4-5 win-loss slate, dimming NU’s chances for the bronze medal after making it slide down to fifth place with a 3-6 record.
The Golden Sox will need to overcome the Adamson University Soaring Falcons to complete their second-round sweep and have a chance of finishing at the podium via the point system.
They will clash against Adamson on Saturday, April 15, 3:30 p.m., at the same venue.
