REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team (16-4, 2-1 SCIAC) swept Williams College on Thursday afternoon at The Field of Dreams as they took Game 1 5-0 and before coming back in Game 2 to win 6-5.
Game 1 (W, 5-0)
Paige Ellinger (Temecula, CA) posted a shutout in the start grabbing her fifth win on the season and the Bulldogs started quickly with three runs in the first inning. Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) started things off reaching first on an error by the first baseman. She then advanced to third on a double to left field by Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA). The very next pitch Bard was able to come in due to the wild pitch. Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA) then reached on a walk, advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, which plated Horton and then scored on a Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) single up the middle.
In the third inning Messenlehner drew another walk and then stole second getting into scoring position. Kayla Jackson (Bishop, CA) then singled to the pitcher on a bunt and due to a throwing error in the circle Messenlehner was able to come in and score moving the score to 4-0.
The fifth and final run came in the sixth as Jenay Scott (Merced, CA) came across the plate on another error in the infield for the Ephs.
Messenlehner finished with two walks and scored twice. Ellinger finished with five shutout innings giving up only three hits, while Gandara came on for the final two innings as she maintained the shutout.
Game 2 (W, 6-5)
The game started out in a strange fashion for the Bulldogs. Bard reached safely on a bunt to third base before stealing second. Horton moved her over on a sacrifice bunt and the very next batter Messenlehner would foul out to the first baseman, which was deep enough to score Bard from third who tagged up.
Bard would score for a second time in the third following a Messenlehner single to second base.
After holding the Ephs scoreless for 11 innings Williams finally broke through in the top half of the fifth with four runs to take a 4-2 lead. But the Bulldog offense, however, did not stay quiet for long as they matched the four spot with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning as they went back on top 6-4. Sophia Magcale (Cerritos, CA) started the inning off getting hit by a pitch and moved up to second following a base hit from Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA). Bard then loaded the bases with a bunt single on the infield. Horton then singled to second base bringing in one. Two batters later Gandara stepped in and singled scoring the second run and due to a throwing error from left the third run was able to come across as well. Annissa Dorres (Mentone, CA) stepped to the plate and despite a strikeout made a veteran play on the dropped third strike running down to first forcing a throw from the catcher, which then allowed Horton to take the final 60 feet scoring the sixth run.
Williams picked up one in the sixth inning and had the tying run at second with one out in the seventh, but that's as close as they would get as Gandara earned a ground out to Horton at short and struck out the final batter for the 6-5 UR win and her first save of the season.
Ellinger collected her sixth win of the season after throwing one inning giving up one run and walking one. Brianna Garcia (Riverside, CA) started the game, throwing 3.2 shutout innings, but got the no decision after Williams tied the game.
Bard and Kim both finished with two hits, while Messenlehner had a pair of RBI's. Bard also had two stolen bases.
Redlands goes right back into Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play Friday, March 22 as they head to Claremont for a single game with Pomona-Pitzer beginning at 3:00 p.m.
