The University of Redlands softball team took to the road this weekend for only the fourth and fifth time as the Bulldogs faced off against their top two rivals in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) competition. On Friday, Redlands dropped the first game to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, 3-6, to end a six-game winning streak, but quickly bounced back with a 4-2 decision in the night cap. On Saturday, the Bulldogs snapped the University of La Verne's 13-game winning streak by taking both games of the doubleheader with scores of 7-1 and 5-3.

In game one against the Athenas, Redlands scored one run in the top of the first inning off of an RBI-single by senior second baseman Dory Baga (Aiea, HI). The Bulldogs then went quiet and gave up three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

The Maroon and Gray rallied back to tie the game in the top of sixth, as freshman third baseman Lindsey Henry (Lake Elsinore, CA) and junior designated player Amanda Doeppel (Monrovia, CA) plated one run each.

However, CMS responded in the bottom of the inning with a homerun and a well-placed single to score three more for the win.

During the second game, Redlands pounded out 10 hits en route to the 4-2 victory over the Athenas.

After giving up single runs in the first and second innings, the Bulldogs scored once in the top of the fourth and then gained the go-ahead runs in the fifth. Redlands took advantage of an error by the third baseman, scoring Baga and junior catcher Nicky Neumann (Fremont, CA), who had both reached on singles.

The Maroon and Gray plated an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Baga led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Henry, and then scored on an RBI-single by Doeppel.

Serving double duty, Doeppel earned the win from the mound by displacing five hits and striking out three in seven innings of work.

On Saturday, Redlands halted the Leopards' 13-game winning streak with an exciting 7-1 showing in the opener.

The Bulldogs initiated the scoring in the top of the first as they rallied with two outs. Henry doubled to left field and brought in Neumann, who was walked as the third batter. Freshman right fielder Breanna Ruelas (Brawley, CA) singled to right field, scoring Henry and Baga.

The Leopards mustered one run in the bottom of the inning but then Redlands shut down their offense for the remainder of the game.

The Maroon and Gray posted single runs in the second and fourth innings, and then came up with two more in the fifth.

Sophomore first baseman Lizett Casillas (Pomona, CA), Baga and Henry posted the team's only multi-base hits with doubles.

Junior pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA) scattered five hits and struck out five in seven innings of work, earning her 15th win of the season.

Game two required a come-from-behind effort for the Bulldogs as they faced a one-run deficit in the bottom of the first inning. Redlands finally put one on the board in the top of the fourth as Henry provided her second double of the day to score Neumann and Casillas.

But the Leopards evened the score in the bottom of the inning, igniting a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Redlands added one run in the next inning but was answered by La Verne.

Finally, with the scored tied at three, the Bulldogs tallied the winning runs in the top of the sixth and hung on for the victory. Neumann led off with a single through the right side and advanced to second on a single-bunt by Henry. Doeppel singled to left center to load the bases and then Ruelas provided a well-placed single to right center, plating Henry and Neumann.

Once again, Ellis earned the win from the mound as she allowed eight hits but struck out five batters.

The Bulldogs (20-9, 13-3 SCIAC) remain atop the conference standings with a two-game lead over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and the University of La Verne. Redlands returns home on Saturday for a conference doubleheader against Occidental College at 2 p.m.