THE UST Tiger Softbelles bagged their third straight bronze after emerging victorious in a close skirmish against the DLSU Lady Batters, 8-7, in the UAAP Season 87 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium on Sunday, April 1.
Graduating Softbelle Erika Fernandez racked up three hits to steer her team to the win and close off the podium.
UST set the tone in the first frame after Fernandez launched a two-run homer deep into the right field, fueling a 4-0 run cushion.
After getting on the board in the top of the second inning, the Lady Batters got closer in the following turn as the heroics of Tifanny Labargan put the match at a 4-all deadlock behind a two-RBI single and UST fielding error.
The Tiger Softbelles answered back in the bottom of the third inning with a home run from rookie Anne Patrcio that also plated Jojielyn Lim, 6-4.
Fernandez continued her offensive onslaught, dialing an RBI in the second half of the fourth to drive in Blanco and Mae Teves, 8-4.
The Taft squad refused to tumble as a determined three-run push in the sixth inning cut the deficit down to 8-7. However, Softbelle substitute pitcher Celine Chang took charge by forcing three flyouts.
UST will lose the services of Fernandez, Bedaño, Royeve Palma, along with Teresa and Lyca Blanco next season. F – Joshua Louis Sumanghid
