REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team extended their winning streak to 13 games Saturday following a sweep over Susquehanna University at the Field of Dreams 8-0 and 9-1 both coming in run-rule fashion.
The Bulldogs improve to 13-2, 5-1 SCIAC and have not lost since February 15.
Game 1 (W, 8-0 | 5-Innings)
Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) threw a perfect game to lead the Bulldogs going 5.0 Innings strong, not surrendering a runner and striking out four as she improved to 5-2 on the season.
Redlands got off to a strong start with a five spot in their opening at-bats.
Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) started things off with a walk before stealing second and then advancing to third on a wild pitch. She then came in on a groundout by Gandara. But the inning wasn't done there as
Leila Jackson (Vallejo, CA) followed with a double down the right field line, then a
Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA) walk that put runners on first and second.
Isabella Culp (Bayliss, CA) stepped in and drove one into right center scoring one and
Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA) came up with a walk that that loaded the bases.
Long then scored on a wild pitch moving the score to 2-0 and
Saya Fujii (San Jose, CA) would get a base hit on the infield that scored another two.
In the 4
th Inning the U of R added another two runs.
Faith Hernandez (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) started the inning off with a single through the left side and moved up after a Bard single through the right side. Gandara kept the line moving with a base knock up the middle loading the bases and Long would come up clutch with a two out RBI single to left center moving the score to 7-0. The run-rule came in the bottom half of the fifth with UR tacking on another run.
Maya Holshoe (Redlands, CA) started things off with a single up the middle and moved up to second on a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt from Fujii moved her up 60 feet and she eventually came in on a
Natalie Lowthers (Wrightwood, CA) single up the middle.
Gandara finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, Long was 1-for-2 with a run scored, two RBI's and a walk, and Culp was 1-for-3 scoring once and driving in another.
Game 2 (W, 9-1 | 5-Innings)
Redlands had another run-rule victory in Game 2, scoring in every inning. They started things off with two runs in their opening at-bats using a pair of walks and an error to go on top quickly. In the 2
nd Inning they tacked on another four runs on three hits. Fujii doubled to left center scoring Kim who reached on an error by the third baseman,
Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA) then tripled to right center scoring another. She then came in on a sacrifice fly by Bard. After a Gandara walk,
Kayla Jackson (Bishop, CA) came in as a pinch runner stealing second and then came in off a L. Jackson single up the middle.
An insurance run came in the 3
rd Inning with Messenlehner driving in
Leila Gomez (San Bernardino, CA), who reached on a bunt single with a sacrifice fly to right field. In the fourth
Alyson Stofila (Corona, CA) came up clutch with the Bulldogs' second triple on the day this time to right center plating Gomez, who reached on as ingle through the left side.
The final run came in the bottom half of the fifth from Messenlehner who ended things with a solo shot to left field giving the U of R the sweep.
Paige Ellinger (Temecula, CA) got the start and went 2.2 Innings giving up just two hits but left with the no decision.
Savannah Barchus (Hillsboro, OR) came in relief and picked up her second win on the season going 1.1 Innings giving up a run, no hits, and walking a batter.
Messenlehner was red-hot at the top of the lineup going 2-for-3 scoring twice and driving in three. L. Jackson was 1-for-3 with two RBI's and Gomez finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Redlands returns to the diamond on Wednesday, March 12 when they welcome in No. 2 Case Western Reserve with game times set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.
