The No. 24 University of Redlands softball team traveled to Cal Lutheran University on Sunday for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader against the Regals. With the score knotted at two, the Bulldogs took the lead in the top of the eighth but then gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning, resulting in a 4-5 loss in game one. During the nightcap, Redlands rebounded with an offensive explosion en route to the 13-2 victory.

In the opener, the game remained scoreless through two innings and then the Regals put one on the board with a triple and an RBI-single.

In the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs responded with two runs to take the lead. After sophomore first baseman Lizett Casillas (Pomona, CA) was walked, freshman Kirstie Bender (Lakewood, CA) pinch ran for her. Freshman Lindsay Henry (Lake Elsinore, CA) singled to right center to move Bender to third. Junior designated player Amanda Doeppel (Monrovia, CA) blasted one up the middle, plating Bender and Henry.

However, Cal Lu quickly tied the game with a series of sacrifice bunts and a single through the right side.

Still tied after seven innings, Redlands stormed back with two runs in the top of the eighth to gain the 4-2 lead. Casillas led off with a single to center field and then senior second baseman Dory Baga (Aiea, HI) moved her over on a sacrifice bunt. Doeppel came up with a double to right center to bring Casillas home. Freshman right fielder Breanna Ruelas (Brawley, CA) connected on an RBI-single to right center, scoring Doeppel.

Nonetheless, the Regals rallied to win the game in the bottom of the inning as the Bulldogs gave up three hits, a wild pitch and an error.

Junior pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA) took the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs.

Doeppel went 3-for-4 at the plate and tallied three RBI to lead the team.

In game two, Redlands erupted with 16 hits while holding the Regals to just six. The Bulldogs enjoyed two explosive innings with five runs in the second and seven runs in the seventh, resulting in the resounding 13-2 win over Cal Lu.

Junior catcher Nicky Neumann (Fremont, CA) recorded her eighth double and her second triple of the season. Freshman short stop Kai Masutani (Honolulu, HI) connected on her first triple of the season and plated three runners while coming home on an error. Casillas hit an inside-the-park home run for two RBI.

Doeppel captured the win from the mound, striking out two and scattering six hits.

With four games remaining, the Bulldogs (23-10, 16-4 SCIAC) hold a three-game lead over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges and the University of La Verne.  Redlands looks forward to Senior Day on Friday as it plays Whittier College in a SCIAC doubleheader at 2 p.m.