Gallery: (5-29-2026) Softball vs. Rowan - WCWS Game 5
SALEM, Va. – The University of Redlands softball team (45-6) moved to 2-0, and one game from the championship series, at the NCAA Division III Women's College World Series with a 10-2 run-rule victory over the No. 8 seed Rowan University Friday morning.
The Profs got on the scoreboard first with an RBI double in their opening at-bats, but the Bulldogs responded with three in the bottom half as Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) and Natalie Lowthers (Wrightwood, CA) provided a pair of doubles that plated Leila Gomez (San Bernardino, CA) and Gandara for a 2-1 U of R lead. Lowthers then scored on a throwing error by the Rowan pitcher.
After neither team plated a run in the second, Rowan cut the deficit to one in the third, 3-2, as an error allowed the batter and runner to advance. Redlands earned that run right back, though in their at-bats. Jenay Scott (Merced, CA) singled with a bunt and was sacrificed over by Maya Holshoe (Redlands, CA) before coming in on a RBI groundout by Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA).
In the fourth the Bulldogs put the game away with five runs, their third five-run inning in as many games. Gandara hit her second double, which allowed Brooklyn Bard (Long Beach, CA) and Gomez to score. Yesterday's hero, Avery Duran (Corona, CA), drew a pinch hit walk with the bases loaded and Avery Provenzano (San Jose, CA) singled home Holshoe and Scott for a 9-2 Maroon and Grey lead after four complete.
After Gandara sat the Profs down in order in the top of the fifth, Gomez singled and stole second to start off the bottom half. Gandara then walked on four pitches before Scott hit a double with two outs that ended the game early, 10-2.
Gomez added three more hits to her total this week, which is now at seven. She also has five total runs scored, including three today. Gandara reached base five times with three RBI's. Scott reached all four times with three hits and a walk.
In the circle Gandara collects her 23rd win on the season after five complete with only one earned run allowed.
Redlands will get Saturday off before playing on Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. pacific time. They could play any of these teams, which include the No. 1 seed Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU), No. 2 seed Trine University, No. 3 seed Simpson College, or No. 4 seed Linfield University. VWU and Linfield play an elimination game today; Trine and Simpson play a winner's game later today too. The winner of VWU and Linfield plays the loser of Trine and Simpson. That winner, who plays tomorrow, then advances to Sunday needing to beat the Bulldogs twice.
