Taking to the road for the first time all season, the University of Redlands softball team captured two wins over Occidental College in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Saturday. The Bulldogs opened the series with a 3-0 victory and then took care of business in the nightcap with an 8-0 performance in only five innings.

In the first game, the Bulldogs relied on the solid work of junior pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA), who fanned seven batters while scattering only three hits.

Offensively, Redlands posted single runs in the first, second and fourth innings to capture the 3-0 win. Senior second baseman Dory Baga (Aiea, HI) provided an RBI-single to center field to initiate the scoring, bringing home junior center fielder Kayla Peterson (San Jose, CA), who reached on a bunt to open the inning.

Junior catcher Nicky Neumann (Fremont, CA) posted an RBI in the second inning, while Peterson brought in the runner in the fourth. Both times, senior right fielder Roxy Lambert (La Jolla, CA) crossed the plate for the Bulldogs.

During the second game, junior pitcher Amanda Doeppel (Monrovia, CA) gained the win from the mound by giving up only five hits while striking out two batters.

After three quiet innings, the Redlands offense exploded with 12 hits and eight runs combined during the fourth and fifth innings.

During the fourth, Neumann provided a two-RBI single to right field, plating freshman left fielder Kirstie Bender (Lakewood, CA) and Doeppel. Later that inning freshman third baseman Lindsey Henry (Lake Elsinore, CA) connected on a double to right center, brining home freshman second baseman Molly Duran (Corona, CA) and sophomore first baseman Lizett Casillas (Pomona, CA).

With the sweep, the Bulldogs (8-3, 6-2 SCIAC) move into a tie for first with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges in the SCIAC standings. They host non-conference opponent Cal State San Marcos on Sunday at 12 noon.