Green Batters fall short at the hands of UP

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters fell short of a comeback at the hands of the University of the Philippines (UP) Baseball Team, 5–7, last night at the UP Diliman Baseball Field. Despite scoring on multiple innings, La Salle’s efforts were not enough to handle UP’s four-run scoring outburst in the sixth inning. This result marks the Green and White's second defeat of the season and the end of their Round 1 matches.

The Green Batters were unable to get things going early on, racking up three straight outs while the Fighting Maroons drew first blood courtesy of a couple of hits combined with La Salle’s pitching errors, 0-3. The following two turns saw a dry spell for both sides as neither team was able to get anything going.

It was in the 4th and 5th innings that the Taft-based squad regained their championship form as they were able to equalize the match at 3 runs apiece. This was thanks to all-around contributions from Marco Micael, Lord Aragorn De Vera, and Renato Samuel who helped the rest of the crew cut into UP’s lead. In addition, La Salle’s infield defenders played a key role in denying the Maroons any chances of scoring up until that point, tagging any runner that came across them.

Another pair of quiet turns came the way of the Green and White, as they struggled to make plays on both ends. Meanwhile, a lopsided sixth inning saw four different UP batters connect on fly balls and line drives, all of which resulted in runs for the Maroons, 3-7.

In the closing stages of the contest, Joseph Alcontin and Pio Villamiel came up with clutch hits that allowed the Green Batters to cut the lead to two, 5-7. Multiple pitching errors for UP as well as another fly ball by De Vera put his squad in the perfect position to take the lead in the final frame. With bases loaded and one out remaining, La Salle’s hope for a comeback win was thwarted when Micael’s infield fly was caught by the Maroons' third baseman, signaling the final ‘‘out’’ to send the Green Batters home defeated.

Continue supporting the DLSU Green Batters (3–2) as they aim to get back on track for a three-peat in their Round 2 encounters.