The University of Redlands softball team squared off against the visiting Pirates of Whitworth University (WA) in a non-conference doubleheader on Monday but came away with two tough losses. The first game went six innings and resulted in a 2-13 defeat, while the Bulldogs' woes continued into the nightcap, as they fell in a five-inning, 1-9 decision.
During the opener, Redlands trailed by six through the top of the fourth inning but cut the deficit to four with a two-run effort in the bottom of the frame. First-year right-fielder Hayley DiMase (Eastvale, CA) faced one out and runners on second and third after back-to-back singles and a fielder's choice. She drove a ball toward the shortstop, who scooped it up and threw it past first base for an error. However, the ball ended up in the dugout, which allowed both runs to score and DiMase to move to second in an odd play.
However, the Bulldogs' struggled to push any other runs across and ultimately suffered the loss.
Sophomore first baseman Ryanna Curtis (Upland, CA) recorded the only multi-hit game for the Maroon and Gray with two knocks.
Redlands looked to reset in the second game and battled through three scoreless innings with junior pitcher Nicole Stanzione (San Marcos, CA) relying on her defense to limit Whitworth's chances. In the top of the third, the Bulldogs put together a nice double-play with sophomore second baseman Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA) and Curtis taking care of business.
Offensively, sophomore left-fielder Jaci Sanchez (Lakewood, CA) and DiMase recorded the Bulldogs' only two hits in the first three innings.
But in the top of the fourth, Whitworth's bats came alive and scored eight runs to create quite a hole for the home team to overcome.
After the Pirates tacked on one more, the Maroon and Gray mixed up the offense, which provided a nice late-game spark. First-year pinch-hitter Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA) led off with a double, while DiMase brought her home on a long single to right-center field. Unfortunately, the rally ended there and resulted in another tough loss for the Bulldogs.
Redlands (2-2) jumps into Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Friday, February 15, when it hosts Chapman University at 1 p.m. at the Field of Dreams.
