The University of Santo Tomas Golden Sox overpowered the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles, 11-3, to end their four-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 87 baseball tournament on Wednesday, April 2, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Golden Sox clawed their way to a 2-6 record as they locked into a tight battle with the UP Fighting Maroons for the fourth seed and a final four dreams slot.

UST homegrown pitcher Prince Harry Geronimo starred for the Espana-based squad as he struck out 11 batters and only allowed three runs on six hits in all the nine innings he played.

“Maganda ng pinukol (ni Harry). Pero kailangang-kailangang i-boost mo talaga siya kasi minsan nade-demoralize siya kapag may mga nagkakamaling teammates,” said long-time Golden Sox head coach Jeff Santiago.

“Kailangang i-ga-guide mo [talaga] siya," he added.

The Espana-based squad opened the first inning with consecutive hits, resulting in an RBI from Jesus Cabigao that put JR Vargas home.

A hit from Sean De Leon caused Cedrick Marquez to run around the diamond before a single from Marvin Trillana put De Leon home to extend UST’s lead to 3-0.

The Golden Sox continued to dominate ADMU, as Vargas, Alwyn Piñero, Geronimo, and Marquez scored four consecutive runs in the fifth inning to bring their lead up to 7-0.

Ateneo responded with their first run to put themselves on the scoreboard, 7-1.

UST scored another run in the top of the sixth inning before scoring their ninth run in the next inning, allowing them to hold a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

A fielding error from Vargas gave the Blue Eagles two runs of their own while an RBI from Vargas himself drove Justine Rosales home, followed by another RBI from Cabigao to plate Vargas for UST at the top of the eighth inning. 11-3.

Ateneo attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, but a fine play from UST’s infielders caught Ateneo’s Zeke Laygo out in the first base, ultimately sealing the victory for UST.

Santiago hopes the team can build on their momentum as they prepare for a rematch against the Bulldogs, who edged them out in a high-scoring 15-14 battle in the first round.

"Itong NU na next game… sana ganon pa rin ang mangyari, pero kami naman ang manalo sa endgame. Sana ma-condition ko ang mga players ko para sa game na 'yon. Kasi kailangan namin ng mas maraming panalo ngayong second round para may chance pa kami [sa final four]," Santiago added.

The Espana-based squad will next face the top-seeded and defending champions, National University Bulldogs, on Sunday, April 6, in the same venue.