REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team hosted a staff and faculty appreciation day Friday afternoon and did so in impressive fashion beating Cal Lutheran University 9-7 at the "Field of Dreams."

The Bulldogs have now won two in a row and three of their last four as they improve to 15-11, 8-5 SCIAC.

After a quick 1-2-3 Inning for UR starter Danielle Stallings (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) in the top half of the first, sophomore shortstop Collette Allen (Sierra Madre, CA) got things going in the opening at-bats taking the first pitch she saw to right center for a solo shot putting the Bulldogs on top quickly.  Two batters later Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA) sent a one-hopper over the head of the third baseman down the left field line and Sierra Daley (Torrance, CA) drove her in with a double to left center.  Annabelle Gutierrez (Gilroy, CA) kept the rally going with a two-out single to left that plated the third run of the frame extending the Bulldog lead.

Cal Lutheran got two of those runs back in the 4^th Inning, all coming with two outs as they cut the deficit to one.  Then in the 5^th, Gordon continued swinging a hot bat connecting for a solo shot to deep left that moved the score to 4-2.  The difference in the game came in the bottom half of the 6^th where UR put up five runs on two hits, while using two CLU miscues that opened the game up.  Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA) brought in the first run with a sacrifice bunt and Allen followed with a two-run blast to left field.  Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) kept the inning going with a double down the left field line and then came in on a fielder's choice.  The final run scored off the bat of Stallings who drove a sacrifice fly to left. 

With the score 9-2 heading into the top half of the 7^th Inning the Bulldogs looked poised for the big win, but the Regals made it difficult bringing across five runs on three hits and forced Stallings out of the game.  Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) came in relief and despite facing some trouble herself was able to get a bases loaded pop-up that ended the threat. 

Stallings finished with the win improving to 11-4 after going 6.1 Innings giving up three runs on three hits, while walking four and striking out three.  Kershner tossed the second half of the seventh giving up four runs, all unearned as she came away with her first save of the season. 

The Bulldogs collected five extra-bases hits on the afternoon with Allen finishing 2-for-4 scoring twice and driving in three.  Gordon was a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two walks and an RBI and Daley was 1-for-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in.                         

Redlands looks to keep their winning streak alive tomorrow, Saturday, April 9 when they travel to Thousand Oaks, CA for a doubleheader with Cal Lutheran University.  First pitches slated for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.