The University of Redlands softball team traveled to Whittier College for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday.  The Bulldogs struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities while leaving 19 runners on base, en route to a pair of losses to the Poets, 1-5 and 1-12.

In the opening game, sophomore pitcher Courtney Ludlow (Petaluma, CA) held her own through five innings, with the score tied at one apiece.  Redlands' run came in the top of the first frame, after junior first baseman Vicki King (Thousand Oaks, CA) doubled to right field to plate junior right-fielder AJ Carrasco (Whittier, CA), who singled with two outs.

Through five, Ludlow had dispersed only three Poet hits, with the sole run coming off a lead-off homer to start the fifth inning.

However, Whittier opened things up in the sixth with a single and a three-run shot, leading to the 5-1 Poet victory.

King and Carrasco led the Bulldog offense, with each providing a 2-for-4 performance.

During the nightcap, Redlands struck first with an RBI by freshman designated player Lali Garza (Granite Bay, CA) to push sophomore center-fielder Marissa Romero (Manteca, CA) across home plate. 

However, the bats went quiet for the Maroon and Gray, while the Poets stepped up with timely hitting throughout the contest.

Junior pitcher Lauren Henson (Highland, CA), sophomore hurler Casey Maltz (Palo Alto, CA), and Ludlow all struggled from the circle, with Henson taking the loss after just 2.1 innings.

Redlands (3-7, 1-5 SCIAC) strives to get back on track when it hosts Chapman University on Friday, March 6, at 12 noon for a doubleheader at the "Field of Dreams."