The University of Redlands softball team played host to Cal Lutheran University in an important Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader at the Field of Dreams on Saturday.  The Bulldogs struggled to answer the Regals' hot bats in the first game before a late-game surge fell short in the nightcap, resulting in a pair of losses by scores of 0-8 and 4-6.

During today's second contest, Redlands answered Cal Lu's three-spot in the first inning with a three-hit, two-run showing in the bottom half of the frame.  The Bulldogs loaded the bases on three-straight singles with senior third baseman Summer Smith (Redlands, CA) due up next.  She successfully launched a sacrifice fly to left field to plate senior left fielder Marissa Romero (Manteca, CA) and advance the other two runners.  Sophomore designated player Mika Imoto (Vista, CA) kept things rolling with a groundout-RBI, which allowed senior center fielder Amanda Ang (Santa Cruz, CA) to touch home.

With freshman pitcher Nicole Stanzione (San Marcos, CA) finding her rhythm in the circle, the Bulldog defense helped her sit down six-straight batters over the next two innings.

In the bottom of the third, Redlands rallied to tie it up at three apiece.  With one out, Ang singled up the middle to set up junior shortstop Ursyla Baumgarten's (Penngrove, CA) double to right-center field.  Ang legged out the run with her speed on the base-paths. 

The visiting squad came to play in the opener and efficiently scored eight runs over four innings while keeping Redlands off the board with strong defensive plays.

Smith recorded the Bulldogs' only hit of the game with a double to left field in the bottom of the fourth with one out.  She made her way to second but she remained there on an infield groundout.

Redlands (13-21, 9-13 SCIAC) looks to bounce back on Sunday, April 23, when it hosts Occidental College for Senior Day at the Field of Dreams.  First pitch is set for 12 noon.