UP regains winning ways in softball with shutout of La Salle

The UP softball team. UAAP Media

MANILA -- University of the Philippines snapped a two-game slide in the UAAP Season 86 softball tournament, besting De La Salle University 5-0 on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.

The Fighting Maroons, last season's silver medalist, improved to 3-2 to start the second round of eliminations. The Lady Green Batters fell to 1-4.

"Maganda na nakuha ulit namin 'tong momentum going into Adamson," said head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan, as UP is now bracing for a rematch against the unbeaten Lady Falcons (4-0). 

"'Yung losses namin sa UST and Adamson, kahit rin sa other teams, breaks of the game lang. So sana makuha namin 'yung break on Saturday," he added.

Two huge offensive innings were enough for the home side, capitalizing on a big fourth inning for the final count.

Third baseman Jamm'n Rasco started it with a huge hit to the middle before catcher Reuel Caoagdan got to first base on an error by DLSU first baseman Angelica Notarte. Two more hits -- huge triples -- from Algrace Adajar and Martine Francisco scored three to extend a 2-0 lead to 5-0.

Fighting Maroons pitcher KC Valino toyed with a perfect game until the fourth inning as Lady Green Batters' lead-off Labargan broke through with a hit that forced an error on UP's first baseman Francisco.

But Valino still ended with the shutout despite allowing a solitary hit from Gonzales in the fifth. On the other hand, Francisco still pulled through with the best hitting clip for UP with two hits on three at-bats.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas remained second at 4-1, thanks to a 10-2 sixth-inning abbreviated victory against Ateneo de Manila University.

Shortstop Helga Campos laced a solid outing for the Tiger Softbelles with a 2-of-3 batting clip that included an inside-the-park solo home run, scoring twice as well in the game.

Designated player Lyca Blanco continues to impress offensively, putting up three hits on four at-bats, while Eiree Baladjay provided stability on the mound for the side's third consecutive win.