University of Sto. Tomas scored four runs in the eighth inning, to snitch a victory away from Rizal Technological University, 9-6, in Game 1 of the PABA Youth baseball tournament finals at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Tigers gave away four runs as early as the first inning and were on the verge of suffering an upset loss in the series opener. But, UST clawed their way back by scoring seven runs in the final three innings, which include the crucial four-run rally in the eighth.
With the win, UST can wrap up the series with a victory next Saturday at 9AM. But, if RTU wins Game 2, a third-and-deciding game will be played at 1PM on the same day to settle the championship.
Trailing 6-5 entering the eighth frame, UST tied the game on one of the rare occurrences in the tournament as pinch-hitter Haruta Estanislao hit a solo home-run off the left field fence and into the bleachers, leveling the match, 6-6.
Following the homer, Jerby Diego walked, and was followed by an Israel Ona single, putting runners on first and second. Jonjon Robles then flied-out to shortstop Jesse Bacarisas for the first out.
But, Ace Baquiran drilled a base-hit to second base, sending a hobbling Diego home for the lead, 7-6.
Michael Zapanta then grounded to Bacarisas, but his attempted throw to catcher Manuel Anguluan at home plate came late as pinch-runner Argel Casulhay scored for an 8-6 lead.
Later, Jake Cumlat tagged-in Baquiran for the final score on a sacrifice fly to center.
That put UST into a comfortable situation entering the ninth inning as Robles, who relieved Mike Saito in the third inning, struck out all three batters he faced in the said inning to finish the game.
It was Robles who put stability on the mound for UST, after a poor two inning performance by starter Song Chun Wang, and a short outing for Saito. The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player recorded 16 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work in relief, allowing only a run.
From the first five innings, it was RTU was had the upper hand as they rattled Song as early as the first two at-bats, when Bacarisas went for a triple, scoring leftfielder Joaquin Jover, who hit a single, all the way from first.
First baseman Jerry Balba then sent Bacarisas home on a single, setting up a double by second baseman Javyee Raymond Jarme, scoring Balba. A passed ball by Song led to Jarme hustling all the way from second for a four-run first.
Their last run came in the fifth when Jarme sent Balba, who reached second on a two-base hit, to home plate on a single for a 6-2 lead.
Since then, RTU went silent at the plate as Robles retired 11 of the final 13 batters, and at point, fanned six consecutive Technocrats.
UST reduced the lead to 6-4 in the sixth on a bases-loaded, two-RBI single by Diego scoring Song and Aldren Lozada. In the seventh, Song grounded out but scored Cumlat from third to cut the margin to one.
The Tigers gave away four runs as early as the first inning and were on the verge of suffering an upset loss in the series opener. But, UST clawed their way back by scoring seven runs in the final three innings, which include the crucial four-run rally in the eighth.
With the win, UST can wrap up the series with a victory next Saturday at 9AM. But, if RTU wins Game 2, a third-and-deciding game will be played at 1PM on the same day to settle the championship.
Trailing 6-5 entering the eighth frame, UST tied the game on one of the rare occurrences in the tournament as pinch-hitter Haruta Estanislao hit a solo home-run off the left field fence and into the bleachers, leveling the match, 6-6.
Following the homer, Jerby Diego walked, and was followed by an Israel Ona single, putting runners on first and second. Jonjon Robles then flied-out to shortstop Jesse Bacarisas for the first out.
But, Ace Baquiran drilled a base-hit to second base, sending a hobbling Diego home for the lead, 7-6.
Michael Zapanta then grounded to Bacarisas, but his attempted throw to catcher Manuel Anguluan at home plate came late as pinch-runner Argel Casulhay scored for an 8-6 lead.
Later, Jake Cumlat tagged-in Baquiran for the final score on a sacrifice fly to center.
That put UST into a comfortable situation entering the ninth inning as Robles, who relieved Mike Saito in the third inning, struck out all three batters he faced in the said inning to finish the game.
It was Robles who put stability on the mound for UST, after a poor two inning performance by starter Song Chun Wang, and a short outing for Saito. The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player recorded 16 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work in relief, allowing only a run.
From the first five innings, it was RTU was had the upper hand as they rattled Song as early as the first two at-bats, when Bacarisas went for a triple, scoring leftfielder Joaquin Jover, who hit a single, all the way from first.
First baseman Jerry Balba then sent Bacarisas home on a single, setting up a double by second baseman Javyee Raymond Jarme, scoring Balba. A passed ball by Song led to Jarme hustling all the way from second for a four-run first.
Their last run came in the fifth when Jarme sent Balba, who reached second on a two-base hit, to home plate on a single for a 6-2 lead.
Since then, RTU went silent at the plate as Robles retired 11 of the final 13 batters, and at point, fanned six consecutive Technocrats.
UST reduced the lead to 6-4 in the sixth on a bases-loaded, two-RBI single by Diego scoring Song and Aldren Lozada. In the seventh, Song grounded out but scored Cumlat from third to cut the margin to one.
No comments:
Post a Comment