The University of Redlands softball team (30-10) captured a
solid 5-1 victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (28-14) to
win the second annual Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference Postseason Tournament at the Redlands Softball
“Field of Dreams”. With the victory, the Bulldogs gain
the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships and
await the announcement of the bracket on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the Athenas advanced onto the championship game
of the tournament with a 3-2 victory over the University of La
Verne in a 13-inning duel.
Playing as the visiting team in the championship game, Redlands
took the lead in the top of the third inning when senior second
baseman Dory Baga (Aiea, HI) hit a three-run shot over the left
field fence. With two outs, junior center fielder Kayla Peterson
(San Jose, CA) ran out a bunt for a single and then sophomore first
baseman Lizett Casillas (Pomona, CA) moved her to second on a
single to left field. Baga connected on her fifth home run of the
season, earning three RBI.
Redlands notched two insurance runs in the top of the fifth,
utilizing a similar scenario. With two outs, Peterson got on with a
bunt and then Casillas moved her over on a single to center field.
Baga scored Peterson with a long base-hit to left center. After a
pitching change, freshman third baseman Lindsay Henry (Lake
Elsinore, CA) singled up the middle and then advanced to second on
an error as the Athenas attempted to throw out Casillas, who
crossed home plate for the second run of the inning.
Despite giving up a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs
remained in control of the game en route to the 5-1 victory.
Junior pitcher Olivia Ellis (Colfax, CA) scattered four hits and
struck out six batters in seven innings of work. This marks her
23rd win of the season.
Peterson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Baga went 2-for-3
with four RBI and one run. Casillas added 2-for-4 batting with two
runs.
During the elimination game of the losers’ bracket, the
Athenas of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges faced off against the
Leopards of the University of La Verne (28-15). CMS pulled out a
3-2 win in dramatic fashion, as the game ended in the 13th
inning.
The Athenas scored one in the top of the second as sophomore first
baseman Melissa Munoz (Union City, CA) led off with a single down
the right field line. Pinch running for her, senior Emma
Porterfield (Santa Barbara, CA) advanced to second on an error and
then made it to third base on a fielder’s choice. With the
bases loaded, she walked in to put CMS up by one.
Despite opportunities, neither team scored again until the bottom
of the sixth when La Verne gained an RBI-single up the middle by
sophomore short stop Ashley Paul (Glendora, CA), plating freshman
third baseman Tara Allis (Anaheim, CA), who connected on a double
with two outs.
The seventh inning saw the Athenas break the tie with a single by
freshman center fielder Megan Morris (Ridgewood, NJ) and then an
RBI-double by freshman third baseman Michelle Brody (Haworth,
NJ).
Nonetheless, La Verne fought back and tied the game again in the
bottom in the inning. The Leopards loaded the bases with a single
and two walks, and then freshman left fielder Diandra Burns (Chino,
CA) provided a sacrifice fly to score freshman catcher Daryn
Schively (Upland, CA).
The battle continued through five more scoreless innings.
CMS loaded the bases in the eighth and ninth innings but could not
convert.
Finally, in the top of the 13th, the Athenas put it all together
for the win. Lopez walked to lead off the inning and then freshman
catcher Rebecca King (Bellevue, WA) moved her over on a sacrifice
bunt. Brody singled and advanced on the throw as Head Coach Betsy
Hipple sent Lopez home for the score and the eventual win.
The Leopards came up short in the bottom of the inning, with two
batters flying out and another grounding out to end the game.
Junior pitcher Julia Cruz (Tustin, CA) earned the win from the
mound for CMS, pitching the final 6.2 innings with three hits and
three strikeouts.