UP Fighting Maroons celebrate n the UAAP Season 85 softball competition. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines outlasted defending, nine-time UAAP Softball champion Adamson in a match that lasted for 11 innings with a 3-2 walk-off victory Saturday at UP Diliman Baseball Field.
Entering the contest, both the Fighting Maroons and the Lady Falcons were fighting to remain undefeated at the end of the first round with identical 3-0 records.
“This is big for us for UP softball. They are the defending champions and players are from the national team,” said UP head coach Ron Pagkalinawan.
At the bottom of the 11th inning and just one out, the Lady Maroons were able to load the bases with Aila Subaldo in third base.
First baseman Martine Francisco uncorked a grounder to shortstop Andrew Gabriel, who threw the ball to first base. However, the ball could not make it to home plate for the double play as Subaldo secured the walk-off win.
UST Softball team’s Royeve Palma. –UAAP PHOTO
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas notched two wins for the day to rise to solo third with an 2-2 slate after defeating La Salle, 9-2, and Ateneo, 6-3.
Against the Lady Green Batters, the Tiger Softbelles went on a five-run on four hits inning that turned a 2-2 deadlock into a comfortable cushion.
UST also had a big inning against Ateneo, churning four runs in the fourth inning to break away from the Blue Eagles.
RP Blu Girls ace Royeve Palma pitched both games, fanning four batters in seven innings against La Salle while pitching the first three innings of the game against Ateneo.
Both Ateneo and La Salle dropped to 0-3 in the standings.