The University of Redlands softball team pounded out 27 hits and
put up 25 runs against Whittier College in a Southern California
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader on Friday
afternoon at the "Field of Dreams". Despite giving up two home runs
in the opening inning, the Bulldogs settled down for a 10-3 victory
in the first game. A seven-run explosion in the third inning of the
nightcap propelled Redlands to an impressive 15-2 win, resulting in
the sweep over the Poets.
The Bulldogs endured a shaky start in the first game, as senior
pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA) gave up two uncharacteristic
blasts over the fence to face a three-run deficit after one inning.
However, Redlands answered in the bottom of the inning by making
heads-up plays on base while cranking out three hits and three runs
to even the score.
The game remained knotted at three until the bottom of the
fourth when the Bulldogs scored two to take a 5-3 lead. The Maroon
and Gray capitalized on two Poet errors while gaining an RBI from
sophomore shortstop Kai Masutani (Honolulu, HI).
Redlands' momentum continued in the fifth inning when senior
designated player Amanda Doeppel (Monrovia, CA) crushed a grand
slam with no outs.
The Bulldogs scored once more in the sixth as Doeppel provided a
single up the middle to plate senior catcher Nicky Neumann
(Fremont, CA), who led off the inning with a hit and then stole
second base.
Ellis posted a winning effort in a complete game with nine
strikeouts while scattering three hits. She improves to 15-4 on the
season with 15 complete games.
During the nightcap, Whittier struck first once again, scoring
one run in the opening inning.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs responded with two runs as Neumann
posted her seventh knock of the season with a shot over the
left field fence.
The Poets mustered another run in the second inning, tying the
score at two.
But from here on it was all Redlands, which posted offensive
showings of three, seven and three runs, respectively, in the
remaining innings, leading to the 15-2 rout after five. The
Bulldogs batted around the order during two of those outbursts.
Neumann notched her second dinger of the day to lead off the
fourth inning. She went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three
RBI during the second game alone.
In addition, sophomore outfielder Kirstie Bender (Lakewood, CA)
recorded four RBI on a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
Sophomore pitcher Breanna Ruelas (Brawley, CA) earned the win
from the circle in four innings of work. She struck out two while
allowing five hits. Freshman Jessica Wagner (Yucaipa, CA) gained
her first appearance on the mound, posting one walk and one hit in
the fifth inning.
Redlands (26-10, 17-3 SCIAC) remains in second place among the
conference schools, sitting one game behind Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Colleges. The Bulldogs head to Occidental College on Saturday for a
12 noon SCIAC doubleheader against the Tigers.
