LA VERNE, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team opened their 2023 season Saturday with an 8-6 loss to Pacific Lutheran University. The Bulldogs held a 6-4 lead heading into the seventh before the Lutes hit a three-run shot to go in front 8-6, an advantage they would hold handing UR their first loss.
The Lutes jumped out in front quickly taking an early 2-0 lead on an unearned run and a sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs came right back in their opening at-bats with a pair of runs courtesy of Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) and Annabelle Gutierrez (Gilroy, CA). Kershner had an RBI-single that scored Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) and Gutierrez tied the game with a sacrifice fly that scored Kershner.
After three scoreless innings PLU broke the tie with a pair of runs on a single and another sacrifice fly. Redlands was able to respond once again, but this time they were able to take the lead as they would go on to score four runs to go in front, 6-4. Campos continued her strong season debut with an RBI-single to left, Kershner tallied RBI's two and thee with a ground-rule double, and Paige Messenlehner (Easton, CA) brought home Kershner on a double as well.
Brianna Garcia (Riverside, CA) came on in relief for her first collegiate appearance in place of starter Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) who also made her collegiate debut. In the sixth Garcia was able to work around a single and an error as she was able to hold onto the two run margin.
The Lutes started their comeback in the seventh with a double and a walk sandwiched around a lineout. The next batter cut the lead to one on an RBI-double and that then led to a three-run shot that gave PLU back the lead. UR was able to get out of the inning retiring the final two batters, but in their ensuing at-bats they would go 1-2-3 seeing their quest for a their comeback come up short.
Campos had four-of-the-nine Bulldog hits, posting a 4-for-4 day with a triple, RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. The only other player with a multi-hit game was Kershner who who added two hits, three RBI's and two runs scored.
Two notable differences on the defense/pitching side between the Lutes and Bulldogs were the extra errors that allowed an unearned run to score for PLU and the 2-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio for the Bulldogs in comparison to the 7-to-3 ratio for the Lutes.
The Bulldogs will begin a stretch of five-straight home games beginning this Friday, February 17 with a doubleheader against Whitworth University. First pitches slated for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.