Thunders crush Cavite for crown; Tigresses score

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  – Powerhouse Rizal Technological University worked behind the brilliant pitching of Leo Barredo to claim its second National Open men’s softball championship by beating the Cavite Province-Philippine Navy All Stars, 4-2, yesterday at the Baguio City Athletic Bowl here.

Barredo, 21, who was named ninth best pitcher in last year’s World men’s softball championship in Saskatoon, Canada, gave up only three hits to thwart Cavite in the two-hour contest.

University of Santo Tomas foiled RTU’s attempt for a sweep by outclassing the lady Thunders, 3-1, at the Melvin Jones Park in the event sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Phiten, Just Jewels and Le Soleil de Boracay.

Barredo struck out six while stranding two men on board with his Blue Thunder teammates preserving his heroics by riddling losing pitcher Vic Enriquez with six hits.

A two-run single by RP Blu Boy Jerome Bacarisas that produced two runs at the top of the third inning set the Blue Thunder’s romp. One run each in the fourth and fifth frames sent coach Noel Bumagat’s charges safely ahead en route to their second crown since 1998.

The win was the Blue Thunders’ seventh straight as they kept their unbeaten records the past two years when they emerged triumphant in the recent State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association, Commission on Higher Education meets and the Softball Pilipinas first semi-pro tilt. They also ruled the 2009 Association of Southeast Asian Nations championship in Brunei and the Philippine Olympic Festival.

It took the Golden Tigresses, the reigning UAAP champions, though four-and-a-half innings to shake off the Lady Thunders’ gallant stand when shortstop and veteran RP Blu Girl Esmeralda Tayag singled in Melanie Laserna at the bottom of the fifth frame.