REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team (27-7, 12-3 SCIAC) swept Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Saturday afternoon coming from behind to take Game 1 5-4, before sweeping the Athenas with a 4-1 victory in Game 2.
Game 1 (W, 5-4)
The Bulldogs found themselves down 2-0 following the opening at-bats for CMS. They did get one of those runs back in their opening at-bats. Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA) started off the inning with a single on the infield before moving up to second base with a stolen base. A Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) groundout then advanced her to third and she would eventually come in following a fielding error by the Athenas. Over the next four innings CMS tacked on another two runs to extend their lead to 4-1. But this lead was not safe as Redlands would storm back with four runs on four hits to go in front for the first time.
Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA) started off the comeback with a walk. Kayla Jackson (Bishop, CA) then came in as a pinch runner stealing second and then advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Jenay Scott (Merced, CA) then singled up the middle plating Jackson and moving the score to 4-2. Scott moved up into scoring position with a stolen base and then advanced to third with a groundout by Natalie Lowthers (Wrightwood, CA). Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA) then singled back to the pitcher bringing in Scott moving the score to 4-3. Two batters later Messenlehner singled to third bringing in another run and after stealing second came across the game-winning run following a Bard single up the middle.
Messenlehner finished 2-for-4, scoring twice and driving in another. Scott was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Brianna Garcia (Riverside, CA) came on in relief and picked up the win with 1.1 scoreless innings. She improves to 4-3. Gandara came on to throw the final inning recording her second save on only nine pitches in the seventh.
Game 2 (W, 4-1)
Following three scoreless innings the Bulldogs were gifted two runs on a fielder's choice and a throwing error by the Athena pitcher in the fourth. That same inning Scott and Isabella Culp (Bayliss, CA) both singled up the middle with Culp grabbing a stolen base.
Then in the fifth the U of R tacked on another run. Bard singled on the infield and then stole second. Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) then walked putting two runners on. Two batters later Long grounded out to the right side bringing across Bard pushing the lead to 3-0.
The final run came in the sixth for insurance. Culp started the inning off with a single through the left side. Her pinch runner K. Jackson then stole second before coming across following a double by Messenlehner to right.
Bard had three of the eight hits as she went 3-for-3 along with four stolen bases. Culp had two hits of her own. Gandara walked twice. Paige Ellinger (Temecula, CA) had another great start with a complete game, throwing 7.0 Innings and giving up one run on eight hits. She improves to 6-1.
The Bulldogs get a bye next weekend before playing the University of La Verne the following week, April 24 & 26. The series begins on Thursday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m. in La Verne.
