The No. 9 University of Redlands softball team relied on an unstoppable pitching staff, well-timed hits and a flawless defense to record a pair of victories over visiting Chapman University on Sunday at the "Field of Dreams."
Sophomore pitcher Kayla Uphold (Fontana, CA) threw a no-hitter through six innings en route to a 5-1 victory in the opening game. Junior pitcher Breanna Ruelas (Brawley, CA) followed suit by stepping up with her second shutout of the season, scattering four hits during the 1-0 win in the nightcap.
After giving up a run in the first inning, which came after two walks and a pair of sacrifice plays, the Bulldogs evened the score in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman right fielder Amanda Lievanos (Anaheim, CA) led off the inning with a double to right field before senior first baseman Lizett Casillas (Pomona, CA) eventually connected on an RBI-single to bring her home.
Uphold continued to shut down the Panthers, taking care of her end of the bargain. The Bulldog offense helped her out with a three-run performance in the fifth, highlighted by Lievanos' single down the right-field line to push across freshman left fielder Janelle Carrasco (Whittier, CA) and freshman shortstop Amanda Clark (Riverside, CA).
The Maroon and Gray tacked on another run in the sixth inning on a Panther error.
Chapman's only hit came in the seventh, leaving no doubt in the final outcome of the game.
While striking out three, Uphold captured her team-leading ninth win in as many appearances.
During the nightcap, Redlands recorded the only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, sophomore third baseman Kirsten Milliner (Torrance, CA) reached on a bunt before stealing second. Lievanos provided another clutch hit when she launched a double to right field and scored Milliner.
The Bulldogs' lead held up as Chapman tallied four singles but left six on base, including one on third.
Ruelas garnered her third start of the season and went the distance in a four-hit, shutout performance. She fanned five batters in the process.
Overall, Lievanos led the Maroon and Gray offense, going 4-for-6 while accounting for three of the team's five RBI on the day.
Redlands (19-1) battles it out with Willamette University (OR) on Saturday in a 12 noon non-conference doubleheader at the "Field of Dreams."