The 20th-ranked University of Redlands softball team opened its 2013 campaign by splitting a doubleheader against Whitworth University (WA) on Thursday afternoon. After blowing out the Pirates in five innings in game one, 8-0, the Bulldogs fell in an extra-inning heartbreaker in game two, 2-3.
The Maroon and Gray got off to a great start in the opener, gaining the early momentum with a three-run showing in the first inning. After senior centerfielder Sarah Beeman (Corona, CA) led off with a single up the middle, the Bulldogs loaded the bases on an error and a walk, and then sophomore designated player Nikoli Sharp (Lincoln, CA) walked in the first run of the game. Two batters later, Redlands took advantage of opportunity when senior pitcher Kayla Uphold (Fontana, CA) connected on an RBI-single to the second baseman, who later threw it away to bring home Sharp for the 3-0 lead.
Following a one-spot in the second inning, the Maroon and Gray exploded for four runs in the third frame. Junior catcher Kristen Hooper (Riverside, CA) made her Redlands debut a memorable one by crushing a two-RBI single up the middle. With runners on second and third, freshman left-fielder Grace Rose (Villa Park, CA) stepped up with a slap-hit sacrifice before Hooper later crossed home on a well-struck single by junior right-fielder Janelle Carrasco (Whittier, CA).
With veteran Uphold in the circle, Redlands easily wrapped up the game in five innings for her first shutout win of the campaign. She struck out six and allowed just three hits.
In addition, Uphold was the only Bulldog to record more than hit in the game, going 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run.
During the night cap, Redlands scored in the first inning once again, with freshman first baseman Tori Santos (West Covina, CA) lacing a two-run double to score Beeman and junior second baseman Amanda Clark (Riverside, CA).
Both teams' bats went quiet during the next three innings, until Whitworth's Natalie Evers knocked one out the park in the top of the fifth inning.
This breathed new life into the Pirates, who eventually put together a two-hit, one-run performance in the seventh to tie it up.
Redlands had the chance to win it in the subsequent half-inning after Carrasco singled through the right side and Clark drew a hit-by-pitch. But with two outs and two runners on the Bulldogs struggled to finish the rally.
Whitworth again stepped up by scoring one in the ninth, this one coming on a Bulldog error.
Not to be outdone, the Maroon and Gray put together a textbook play after Rose reached on an error and Beeman moved her over on a sacrifice bunt. Up next, Clark found a hole in center field, which sent Rose home, but she was called out at the plate, resulting in the heartbreaking loss for the Bulldogs.
Riley Fritz threw eight innings for the Pirates, striking out six and allowing just three hits.
Junior Kaitlyn Hooper (Riverside, CA) pitched a solid five innings for the Bulldogs, registering two strikeouts and scattering four hits in her first game with Redlands. Uphold finished out the game, fanning four and allowing four hits in the loss.
The Bulldogs (1-1) head to La Sierra University on Sunday for an 11 a.m. doubleheader against the Golden Eagles.
