Photo by: Jennifer Serrano
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters hosted a blowout on the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers after the former defeated the latter by a huge margin, 21-5, last Wednesday, March 13, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Following their first round loss to the Growling Tigers, the Green Batters were determined not to let another defeat happen. La Salle suffered a 3-10 beating from UST last February 27.
The Green Batters began a streak in the second inning that sparked their motivation to win. UAAP Most Valuable Player Kiko Gesmundo and Evangelista each hit a single and a double, respectively. Tuwi Park brought Gesmundo home with his single RBI. Rookie of the Year Angelo Tantuico entered the inning scoring a single that became a double due to errors of the fielders, which resulted to an RBI bringing Evangelista home. Salud followed up with a double RBI which sent Park home. La Salle led UST, 4-2.
UST committed pitching errors in the third frame, giving a walk to Evangelista, Park, and Tantuico. With all the bases loaded, Salud capitalized with two RBIs that brought Evangelista and Park home. Boo Barandiaran then scored a single with another pair of RBIs to bring home Tantuico and Salud. At the bottom of the inning, the defense of the Green Batters made it impossible for the Growling Tigers to score a point as all their hits got caught. La Salle multiplied their lead against UST, 8-2.
Gesmundo and Park started the fourth inning with quick singles. Rosas transported Gesmundo home with a single and RBI. With errors committed on the field once more, Park was able to steal one from the España-based squad. Herrera made sure that UST will have a nil score by the end of the inning.
The Green Batters’ streak did not end there as Salud and Barandiaran scored singles each to begin the fifth inning. The former got to the third base, and with the help of an Iggy Escaño double, he was able to come home. Gesmundo followed with another double with two RBIs, bringing Barandianan and their team captain Escaño home. Park’s hit sent Gesmundo home. After five innings, La Salle’s advantage started to really swell as they were up by a dozen, 14-2, against UST.
Coming off a scoreless sixth inning for both squads, the Green Batters reached peak in the seventh inning. With Gesmundo and Pascual filling two bases, Park helped the latter add to the scoreboard with a single RBI. A Casas double followed a J. Bilbao walk allowed Park to complete another revolution.
A. Bilbao was able to achieve a triple with RBI bringing home J. Bilbao and Casas. Pineda scored a double RBI, landing A. Bilbao back home and pushing the Green Batters up to the 20-point mark. It did not stop there, however, as Acuña had a single RBI that drove Pineda home. The Growling Tigers were able to add a couple more points, but did not prove enough as mercy rule ended the game through seven innings.
The DLSU Green Batters improved to a 6-2 win-loss record to remain in the hunt of a ticket to the Finals. They will be facing the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, March 17, 1 PM at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.