The University of Redlands softball team squared off against the University of Dallas (TX) Crusaders in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at the Field of Dreams and earned a sweep by scores of 5-4 and 9-0 (5 innings). The Bulldogs relied on the heroic efforts of senior center-fielder AJ Carrasco (Whittier, CA) in game one before taking advantage of a hit parade and heads-up base-running in the night cap.
During the opener, the teams jockeyed for the lead throughout the first six innings, with Dallas holding the advantage after the first and fifth frames and Redlands responding in the fourth and the seventh stanzas.
With neither squad earning more than a two-run advantage, the Maroon and Gray's positive outcome came down to great timing on defense and at the plate in the final inning. Down by a score of 3-4, Redlands kept the Crusaders off the board in the top of the seventh with flawless defense. Freshman pitcher Lindsey Mifsud (Belmont, CA) forced a foul-out to freshman catcher Tawney Lilley (Alta Loma, CA), before Lilley picked off the runner at third during the next at-bat. With two outs, Mifsud looked to sophomore third baseman Lauren Hernandez (Littleton, CO) to come up with the final out on a routine play to first.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs put together a two-out rally to score two runs and steal the win. After sophomore pinch-hitter Lali Garza (Granite Bay, CA) laced a single down the left-field line, senior left-fielder Grace Rose (Villa Park, CA) advanced sophomore pinch-runner Bev Valerio (Monrovia, CA), who ran for Garza. Carrasco, who entered the game late due to academic commitments, tattooed a double to left-center field for the walk-off hit, which plated Rose and Valerio.
Rose and freshman designated player Mika Imoto (Vista, CA) accounted for four of the Maroon and Gray's nine hits, while sophomore short stop Shannon Skrzynski (Pomona, CA) uncorked a double for a pair of RBI in the bottom of the fourth.
Mifsud improved to 5-3 on the season following a complete-game effort against the Crusaders. She struck out five batters and scattered eight hits.
In game two, the Bulldog bats came alive for 11 hits, while senior pitcher Lauren Henson (Highland, CA) limited the Crusaders to just four. Redlands scored two runs in the second and then repeated the effort in the fourth frame to take a 4-0 lead.
But the Bulldogs weren't done yet, as they put up a five-spot in the fifth to win the game in mercy-rule fashion. After freshman pinch-hitter Hayley Romo (Port Orchard, WA) led off the inning with a single through the right side, she eventually came home on a pair of passed balls and a wild pitch. The Crusaders struggled from the circle, walking two Bulldogs, before making a change to the line-up. Carrasco kept things rolling with a single to load the bases, which set up an RBI-fielder's-choice for Rose. The momentum stayed with the Bulldogs, as senior second baseman Vicki King (Thousand Oaks, CA) beat out an infield single that was thrown away by the short stop for another base. This moved the runners over and scored Carrasco. With two aboard, Garza came up with the big hit of the frame, launching a deep double for two RBI and the 9-0 final score.
Rose belted out a 3-for-4 showing in game two, earning three RBI and scoring once. Carrasco remained hot at the dish, going 2-for-3 and crossing home twice. Smith stepped up when needed with a 2-for-2 day with two runs scored.
Henson pitched all five innings and scattered four hits in the win.
Redlands (11-5) enjoys a short break from competition, before hosting Hamline University (MN) on Sunday, March 20, at 12 noon at the Field of Dreams.
