Although it took back-to-back, come-from-behind efforts, the No. 9 University of Redlands softball team knocked off last year's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament champions from the University of La Verne in Saturday's important doubleheader.

The Bulldogs broke open the first game with a seven-run explosion in the sixth inning, which included a grand slam from senior third baseman/designated player Aleisha Martinez (Escondido, CA), en route to a 9-3 victory. During the nightcap, Redlands tied it up with a three-run showing in the seventh to force an extra inning before junior catcher Kai Masutani (Honolulu, HI) ripped the game-winning single through the right side.

Tied at two all after five innings, the Bulldogs decided to kick it up a few notches with a seven-run explosion, highlighted by Martinez's four-run shot over the center-field fence. Senior first baseman Lizett Casillas (Pomona, CA), sophomore pitcher Kayla Uphold (Fontana, CA), and junior second baseman Molly Duran (Corona, CA) also pushed runs across in the sixth.

Uphold recorded her eighth win in as many appearances while also going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Junior pitcher Breanna Ruelas (Brawley, CA) finished out the game from the circle, allowing two hits and no runs in the final frame.

After six innings in the second contest, the Bulldogs had mustered only five hits and faced a three-run deficit against the always-competitive Leopards.

With two outs and the bases loaded, sophomore third baseman Kirsten Milliner (Torrance, CA) provided a spark to the offense by singling through the left side to score junior pinch runner Kirstie Bender (Lakewood, CA). Redlands then looked to freshman Amanda Lievanos (Anaheim, CA) to tie the game at five apiece with a two-RBI single up the middle, forcing the eighth inning.

Although La Verne moved a runner to third, freshman pitcher Rachael Hachadorian (San Diego, CA) shut down the remaining batters in the top of the extra frame.

Casillas led off the Bulldogs' inning with a one-hopper double to the right-center fence. Duran set up the score by eventually moving her over on a sacrifice bunt. Connecting on her only hit of the game, Masutani singled through the right side to bring Casillas home for the winning run.

Hachadorian earned the victory after freshman pitcher Gabrielle Sciuto (Poway, CA) left the game in the sixth.

Eight Redlands batters recorded at least one hit, with Lievanos and Duran providing two apiece.

Between today's two games, the Maroon and Gray defense was nearly flawless, posting its only error early in the second contest. La Verne gave up two miscues, resulting in two unearned runs.

Redlands (17-1, 10-0 SCIAC) takes on regional rival Chapman University at the "Field of Dreams" during Sunday's non-conference doubleheader at 12 noon.