THE UST Tiger Softbelles pulverized the luckless Ateneo Blue Eagles in five innings, 10-1, to remain in the hunt for bronze in the UAAP Season 87 softball tournament on March 25, Tuesday, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
After snapping their two-game skid, the Softbelles pulled even with the DLSU Lady Batters for the third seed with a 3-4 win-loss record.
In a scenario where both squads finish with the same record at the end of eliminations, UST and DLSU will face off in a battle for bronze that will take place on April 1.
Meanwhile, Ateneo concluded its campaign at the bottom of the standings with a 0-8 record.
The Katipunan-based squad struck first as Rocio Macasaet and Czelle Basa produced their sole run in the game. From then on, it was all from the España side.
In the bottom of the opening inning, UST displayed its prowess as Erika Fernandez drove in a hit to drive Aiza Ganciar home, tying the match at 1-all. Softbelles Jojielyn Lim and Anne Patricio followed it up with consecutive hits to take a 4-1 advantage.
Last year’s bronze medalists continued to romp the bottom feeders, igniting a three-run blitz in the latter half of the second frame, 7-1.
Both squads went scoreless in the third inning. Ateneo then gave up three more runs right before going cold in the top of the fifth, triggering the mercy rule.
The Softbelles will have the opportunity to claim third place when they take on the second-seeded UP Fighting Maroons at the same venue on Saturday, March 29. Later that day, the Taft squad will clash against the reigning champions Adamson Lady Falcons. F
