LA VERNE, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team (14-4, 2-1 SCIAC) needed to win game two of their doubleheader to secure the series win against the University of La Verne (ULV) on Saturday because they lost game one 5-3 before coming back to take the second 6-5 thanks to a seventh-inning comeback.
Game 1 (L, 5-3)
The Bulldogs were up 2-0 early through two and half innings as Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) scored on a throwing error by the Leopard pitcher after she stole third in the first inning. The second run came in the third when Leila Jackson (Vallejo, CA) scored another unearned run.
Following another unearned run, this time for ULV, Jenay Scott (Merced, CA) doubled to left scoring Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA) for a 3-1 advantage.
Things fell apart in the fifth when the Leopards scored four unearned runs. The inning started with an infield single before three errors, a fielder's choice and a groundout put the Leos on top, a lead they would hold.
Redlands' offense finished with only three hits, but starter Paige Ellinger (Temecula, CA) did not allow an earned run as all five were unearned. Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) came on in relief and ended the game with two scoreless innings.
Game 2 (W, 6-5)
The Bulldogs got in a hole early 3-0 as the Leopards scored two more unearned runs in the first inning.
Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA) had an RBI-fielder's choice and was then caught stealing at second, but it allowed Scott to score from third.
Gandara tied the game at three in the third as she hit a solo shot. ULV, though, went back in front as they scored on a single to left as they led 4-3 after three.
Sophia Magcale (Cerritos, CA) hit a game-tying double to right as pinch runner Kayla Jackson (Bishop, CA) evened the game at four in the sixth. Just like the third, though, ULV retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning thanks to another Redlands miscue.
Messenlehner and Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA), however, were able to mask the mistakes in the top of the seventh with an RBI and a run scored.
Ashley Shelton (Jurupa Valley, CA) led off the inning with a single through the left side before Brooklyn Bard put down a bunt single. Horton followed with a bunt hit of her own as the lead run was at second with no one out and the bases loaded.
Messenlehner then got her RBI on a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game at five. During the next at-bat Bard would proceed to score the game-winning run on a passed ball, which was important as the next two hitters failed to reach base with only one out and a runner at third.
In the seventh Gandara sat the Leopards down in order for her eighth win of the season.
Bard and Horton combined for five hits at the top of the order.
In the series only seven of the 19 total runs were earned as Redlands committed 10 errors and ULV with four.
The Bulldogs welcome Williams College for a non-conference doubleheader at The Field of Dreams this Thursday, March 21 with gametimes set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.
