The University of Redlands softball team captured a doubleheader sweep of visiting La Sierra University on Sunday, earning Head Coach Dani Spaulding's first career victories in her tenure with the Bulldogs. The Maroon and Gray pushed past the opponents in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 5-4 win in the opener, before a grand slam provided an early lead that held up in a 5-3 decision during the night cap.
In a back-and-forth battle, the Bulldogs garnered a 3-1 advantage in the bottom of the opening game's third inning when senior center-fielder Amanda Lievanos (Anaheim, CA) uncorked her second long ball of the season, plating three runs.
However, La Sierra chipped away at the deficit and eventually gained the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth frame, as Brianna Gutierrez connected on a two-RBI-double.
Down by one, the Bulldogs rallied in the bottom of the frame by taking advantage of a critical error at second base. With runners on first and second, Lievanos' chopper to the right side was misfired by the oncoming second baseman, allowing junior designated player Nikoli Sharp (Lincoln, CA) to turn the corner and cross home plate.
Tied at four apiece, the Bulldogs replaced sophomore pitcher Lauren Henson (Highland, CA) after five solid innings, allowing senior Kaitlyn Hooper (Riverside, CA) to take over at the mound. Hooper faced only three batters in the sixth and then eliminated the Golden Eagles' scoring threat in the seventh with a key ground-out play.
But the Maroon and Gray still had work to do to avoid extra innings and win this one in the bottom of the seventh. After senior second baseman Amanda Clark (Riverside, CA) was walked and Lievanos moved her over, sophomore short stop Vicki King (Ventura, CA) stepped up with a huge single up the middle to plate the winning run and finishing the game on a high note for the Bulldogs.
From the mound, Hooper gained the win after two innings while giving up just one hit.
During the night cap, King's momentum at the plate continued, as she fired off a grand slam in the bottom of the first stanza to put her team up by a score of 4-1. She brought home Sharp, Clark, and Lievanos, all of whom were walked to start the game.
Although La Sierra cut it to one in the top of the third inning, the Bulldogs answered with an insurance run when senior right-fielder Janelle Carrasco (Whittier, CA) crossed home plate on an infield hit by Sharp.
Hooper earned the win after four innings of work, before giving way to freshman Courtney Ludlow (Petaluma, CA), who recorded the save after three innings.
On the day, King led the offense with a 4-for-7 effort with five RBI.
Redlands (2-2) welcomes Whitworth University (WA) to the Softball "Field of Dreams" for a non-conference doubleheader on Sat., Feb. 1, at 12 noon. Fans may follow the action via live stats at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/redlands.portal#.
