REDLANDS, Calif. – The No. 7 University of Redlands Softball team (18-3) had a battle on their hands against Whitworth University Saturday afternoon as they trailed early in both games, before coming back to take the sweep 11-3 and 4-1.
Game 1: Redlands 11 – Whitworth 3 | 6 Innings
Despite what would become a run-rule victory in six innings, the Pirates held an early 2-0 lead after two and a half innings. In the bottom of the third, however, the Bulldogs went in front, 3-2, thanks to an RBI-single from Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) and a two-run triple by Leila Jackson (Vallejo, CA).
Following a game-tying RBI-single by Whitworth in the fourth, Redlands responded with a seven-run fifth. The big hits of the inning came from Isabella Culp (Bayliss, CA) who had a two-run double and Alyson Stofila (Corona, CA) who drove in three with a double into the left center field gap. Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) and Avery Provenzano (San Jose, CA) also had RBI's.
The game-ending hit came from Gandara who drove in Bard in the sixth to reach the eight-run advantage.
Brianna Garcia (Riverside, CA) came in with a strong relief effort and threw the final four innings, allowing only one run and striking out two. She earned her third win on the season. At the plate, Bard, Gandara, and Provenzano all had multi-hit games with Bard finishing 2-for-3, scoring three times and driving in one, Gandara finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored, two RBI's and a walk Provenzano who was 2-for-3 scoring once and driving in another.
Game 2: Redlands 4 – Whitworth 1
Once again the Pirates were the first to strike with a sacrifice fly to right in the second. The game was then tied at one in the bottom half of the inning as Provenzano came home to score on an error.
The game-winning RBI came off another Bulldog triple as L. Jackson found the gap in left center plating pinch runner Kayla Jackson (Bishop, CA). Later in the inning Natalie Lowthers (Wrightwood, CA) added an insurance run with a single through the left side.
The final run of the game was a fitting one as Bard stole second with Avery Duran (Corona, CA) coming home on the throwing miscue.
Kaylen Galaviz (Yuba City, CA) moved to 3-0 on the season after 5.1 innings giving up just one run and scattering five hits. Gandara came on to get her first save of the season with 1.2 scoreless innings. She extends her program record in saves to three over teammate Paige Ellinger (Temecula, CA) who has three.
Redlands goes on to host No. 12 Williams College on Tuesday, March 25 with first pitch of game one set for noon.
