The No. 24 University of Redlands softball team traveled to Occidental College on Friday for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader against the Tigers. While firing off 30 runs and 30 hits on the day, the Bulldogs dismantled the home team by scores of 9-0 and 21-4 in shortened games of five innings each.
After three frames of an apparent pitchers' duel, the Maroon and Gray found its offensive rhythm in the top of the fourth when senior outfielder Amanda Lievanos (Anaheim, CA) uncorked a lead-off double. Sophomore short stop Vicki King (Thousand Oaks, CA) traded places with her for the Bulldogs' first run of the game.
With two outs, senior second baseman Amanda Clark (Riverside, CA) connected on a bases-clearing triple to bring home sophomore pinch-hitter Tori Santos (West Covina, CA), sophomore designated hitter Grace Rose (Villa Park, CA), and King.
After an unearned run scored, the Bulldogs owned a 5-0 lead.
The team rallied for another big offensive showing by pushing across four more in the top of the fifth. Aggressive base-running and heads-up plays allowed Redlands to capitalize on three Oxy errors. The only hit of the frame came off of Rose's bat when she crushed a double.
Senior pitcher Kaitlyn Hooper (Anaheim, CA) threw four innings of shutout ball while scattering four hits in the win to improve to 8-2 on the season. She also fanned three Tigers. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Henson (Highland, CA) finished out the final inning for the Maroon and Gray.
The night cap quickly turned into batting practice for the Bulldogs, as they connected on 23 hits for 21 runs and 20 RBI. The third inning included 11 hits, 13 runs, and four Tiger miscues.
Highlighting the team's monster offense, Lievanos went 3-for-3 at the plate while unleashing a double and a triple for three runs scored and four RBI. Sophomore right-fielder AJ Carrasco (Whittier, CA) provided a 4-for-5 effort with two RBI and two runs scored, while Santos supplied a 3-for-5 showing with three RBI and one run.
The rookie duo of Courtney Ludlow (Petaluma, CA) and Lauren Salazar (Colton, CA) shined as the Bulldogs' pitching staff in game two. After dispersing three hits and striking out four in four innings of work, Ludlow earned the first win of her career.
Redlands (12-6, 10-0 SCIAC) returns home on Saturday for a 12 noon twin bill against the University of La Verne. Fans may follow the action via live stats at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/redlands.portal#.
