The University of Redlands softball team continued its hot streak with a doubleheader sweep over always-competitive University of La Verne at the “Field of Dreams” earlier today. On the heels of senior catcher Nicky Neumann's (Fremont, CA) two-run shot over the left-field fence, the Bulldogs nabbed a 4-2 victory in game one. Nine runs on nine hits led to a solid win in the nightcap.

During the opener, Redlands quickly took the lead off of Neumann's home run in the first inning, plating senior center fielder Kayla Peterson (San Jose, CA), who singled up the middle and then stole second base.

Although La Verne eventually answered with a home run of its own in the top of the sixth, the Maroon and Gray scored two more in the bottom of the inning by converting on a Leopard error with aggressive play on the base-paths.

The Leopards rallied for one more score, garnering the third home run of the game. But the Bulldogs remained in control in the final inning to gain the 4-2 victory.

Senior pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA) earned the win from the mound, throwing a complete game while giving up only three hits.

Once again, Redlands came out firing on all cylinders, earning a three-run advantage in the first inning of the nightcap and never looked back. The Maroon and Gray created opportunity by scoring runs on a fielder's choice, a single to center field, and a hit by pitch.

After going ahead by four, the Bulldogs gave up two to La Verne in the top of the fourth to make it a 4-2 game.

However, that was as close as the Leopards would get, as the Redlands offense exploded for three in the bottom half of the inning and then gained two more in the sixth. The Bulldogs made La Verne pay for its error while gaining a combined five hits in these two innings for a final score of 9-2.

Neumann continued to produce at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored. Freshman left fielder Sarah Beeman (Corona, CA) went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Breanna Ruelas (Brawley, CA) gained her first win of the season by going five innings with five hits and two runs. Senior pitcher Amanda Doeppel (Monrovia, CA) threw two shutout innings in relief.

The Bulldogs (5-3, 4-0 SCIAC) look forward to competing in a rescheduled doubleheader against non-conference opponent Hope International University at the “Field of Dreams” on Sunday at 12 p.m. The original two-game tilt was rained out on February 6.