Serving as host of the second annual Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Softball Tournament, the University of Redlands advanced through the bracket to the championship game with wins over Whittier College, 7-5, and the University of La Verne, 2-0, earlier today.

The tournament began with the No. 2-seeded University of La Verne facing off against No. 3 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. After splitting games during the regular season, the Leopards captured a solid 4-1 win over the Athenas to remain in the winners’ bracket.

La Verne jumped out to an early lead with a three-run outing in the bottom of the third inning. Senior right fielder Melissa Carlson (San Dimas, CA) reached on a fielder’s choice and then quickly stole second and third. With two outs, sophomore short stop Ashley Paul (Glendora, CA) was walked and then stole second base. Freshman left fielder Diandra Burns (Chino, CA) reached on an error, plating Carlson, and then stole second. Senior first baseman Lynsey Padilla (Glendroa, CA) singled up the middle to score two runs, giving La Verne a solid lead.

The Athenas rallied back with one run in the top of the fifth as freshman center fielder Megan Morris (Ridgewood, NJ) led off with a single bunt. She moved to second when sophomore left fielder Michelle Harvey (San Diego, CA) grounded out to the short stop and eventually scored on a fielding error by the Leos.

However, La Verne captured an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, securing the 4-1 victory.

Sophomore pitcher Delaney Baylor (Covina, CA) gave up seven hits and struck out five in seven innings of work, earning the win despite five errors by the Leopard defense.

In the second game, Redlands outlasted a surging Poet squad from Whittier College, prevailing in the final inning by a score of 7-5.

Whittier scored first with a two-run knock by junior right fielder Amanda Carrasco (Montebello, CA) in the top of the second inning. The Bulldogs responded with one run the bottom of the inning as freshman third baseman Lindsay Henry (Lake Elsinore, CA) led off with a single to right field and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by senior left fielder Roxy Lambert (La Jolla, CA).

Both teams were shut out in the next three innings until Redlands lit it up in the bottom of the sixth with six runs. The Bulldogs loaded the bases and scored one as junior catcher Nicky Neumann (Fremont, CA) came home on a failed fielder’s choice. Henry then nailed a grand slam over the left field fence, posting her fourth home run of the season. Junior designated player Amanda Doeppel (Monrovia, CA) followed that up with a solo shot of her own.

Despite a five-run deficit, the Poets fought back in the top of the seventh with aggressive base-running and timely hits. Junior center fielder Mary Pacheco (West Covina, CA) opened the inning with a double to center field, moved to third on a single by freshman designated player Amanda Webster (Reno, NV), and then scored on a Bulldog error. With sophomore third baseman Molly Yriarte (Norwalk, CA) on base after being hit by a pitch, Carrasco singled through the right side to load the bases. After walking in a run, the Bulldogs gave up an RBI-single to senior first baseman Nancy Acevedo (Whittier, CA). Redlands settled down as junior pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA) struck out the next batter and then the Bulldogs threw out a runner on a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Ellis captured her 21st win of the season, displacing 10 hits while fanning five batters.

The losers’ bracket game saw an offensive explosion from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges as they routed Whittier in five innings by a score of 9-0.

The Athenas scored early by plating three runs in the first inning and then four more in the second. With runners on first and second, freshman shortstop Emily Lopez (Fresno, CA) doubled to left center for two RBI. Freshman designated player Rebecca King (Bellevue, WA) followed that up with a single to right center to score Lopez.

The second inning included six hits by CMS, including a two-out single by senior second baseman Jessica Vaughn (Placerville, CA) and doubles by sophomore first baseman Melissa Munoz (Union City, CA) and Lopez.

CMS secured the victory in five innings by scoring two more in the bottom of the fourth. Vaughn led off with a single to left field and then stole second. Sophomore right fielder Chelsea Baker (Tucson, AZ) doubled to right center, plating Vaughn and King, who was walked.

Junior hurler Julia Cruz (Tustin, CA) gained the win from the mound, throwing five innings while scattering three hits and striking out one.

In the fourth game of the day, the undefeated Bulldogs and Leopards battled it out in an exciting duel. Redlands initiated the scoring early with an RBI-single by senior second baseman Dory Baga (Aiea, HI) that scored Neumann, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the first inning.

Following five and a half innings of scoreless play, Neumann supplied her fifth home run of the season as she sent the ball over the left field fence. This was all the offense that the Bulldogs needed, as Ellis went the distance on the mound, scattering five hits and striking out six batters in seven innings.

The 2009 SCIAC Postseason Tournament continues tomorrow with the Leopards of the University of La Verne taking on the Athenas of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges at 10 a.m. The winner advances to the championship game against the University of Redlands Bulldogs at 12:30 p.m. If necessary, a second final game will be played at 3 p.m.