COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of Redlands Softball team (7-2) swept their opening day opponents Wartburg College, 13-4, and No. 18 Pfeiffer University, 4-2, at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia.
Game 1: Wartburg College (W, 13-4 | 5-Innings)
The Bulldogs used a 10-run first inning to jump on top early. The first runs of the game came off singles from Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) and Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA). Leila Jackson (Vallejo, CA) then made it 4-0 with a two-run home run.
The lead grew to 6-0 following a bases loaded walk drawn by Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA) and a sacrifice fly by leadoff hitter Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA). Later in the inning Jenay Scott (Merced, CA) stole home, Bard drove in Kim, and Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA) doubled home two putting UR on top 10-0 after a half inning.
The final three runs for the Bulldogs came in the fourth inning when Messenlehner hit the Bulldogs' second home run of the game, a two-run shot that scored Saya Fujii (San Jose, CA), and Natalie Lowthers (Wrightwood, CA) who singled home Avery Provenzano (San Jose, CA).
Gandara got the start went 2.2 scoreless innings scattering three hits and striking out two. Messenlehner finished 3-for-3 scoring twice and driving in three, Bard was 2-for-2 coming across twice and driving in two and L. Jackson was 2-for-3 scoring once and driving in another two and Long was a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI's.
Game 2: No. 18 Pfeiffer University (W, 4-2)
In the final game of day one action the Bulldogs picked up the upset win over No. 18 Pfeiffer University in a low scoring affair. The Bulldogs jumped in front quickly 1-0 for the second straight game stringing together three singles from Bard, Gandara and L. Jackson. Pfeiffer came back to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning on a two-out RBI single.
In the third with no one on and two outs, Gandara drew a walk in front of L. Jackson who again came through with her second home run in as many games.
Up only a run in the sixth Scott led off the inning with a single. After stealing second, she would come around to score on Lowthers' sacrifice fly as the Bulldogs got the upset win over the Falcons.
Brianna Garcia went 5.1 Innings grabbing the win after giving up just one run on two hits, while striking out four. Bard finished 2-for-4 scoring once and L. Jackson was 2-for-3 with a run scored, two runs batted in, and a walk.
The Bulldogs play another two games tomorrow, Saturday, March 1 beginning with RV College of Saint Benedict at 7:00 a.m. and No. 5 Belhaven University at 9:30 a.m.
