COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of Redlands Softball team (11-2) ends the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic in Georgia as the Tournament Champions after going 6-0 following a sweep over Piedmont University, 17-2, and No. 25 Huntingdon College, 9-5 Sunday.
Game 1: Piedmont University; W, 17-2 | 5-Innings
The Bulldogs scored in each of the four innings they got to hit in route to a run-rule victory in five innings over Piedmont.
In the opening two frames Leila Jackson (Vallejo, CA), Jenay Scott (Merced, CA), Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA), and Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) all picked up RBI's to help the Bulldogs go in front 7-1.
After a Piedmont solo home run in the top of the third Messenlehner doubled home Scott and Saya Fujii (San Jose, CA) pushing the lead to 9-2.
The final eight runs came in the fourth on five hits when Fujii, Faith Hernandez (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), Camille Enriquez (Lamont, CA), Madeline Hughes (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), Natalie Lopez (Long Beach, CA), and Emma Roark (Beaumont, CA) all were able to take advantage of runners on base opportunities to seal the win.
Kaylen Galaviz (Yuba City, CA) got the start earning the win after going 4.0 Innings giving up two runs on five hits, while walking two. Fujii finished 2-for-2 scoring three times and driving in another. Scott was 2-for-2 scoring twice and driving in another and Messenlhener was 1-for-2 scoring once and driving in three.
Game 2: Huntingdon College; W, 9-5)
The Bulldogs finished their six-game stretch with five games of nine or more runs after beating Huntingdon College 9-5.
Redlands fell behind 2-0 after two innings until Gandara cut into the deficit after an error in the third allowing Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) to come around and score. In the fourth inning Messenlehner doubled to right making it 3-2 Bulldogs. A couple of batters later Gandara recorded another RBI pushing the lead to 4-2 after four innings.
The lead stretched to seven, 9-2, after six innings before Huntingdon was able to cut into the lead in the seventh. The Bulldogs, though, closed out the game with a ground out to third to secure their 11th-straight win. The 11-game winning streak is the eighth longest in program history.
Gandara threw a complete game, going 7.0 Innings grabbing her third win on the weekend giving up five runs on five hits, while striking out seven. Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA) finished 2-for-3, Messenlehner was 1-for-4 scoring once and driving in two, and Gandara was 1-for-4 scoring once and driving in four.
The Bulldogs begin a 10-game homestand this Saturday, March 8 with a doubleheader against Susquehanna University at The Field of Dreams beginning at 11:00 a.m.
