The University of Redlands softball squad traveled to Claremont on Friday to face off against the Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Sagehens in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader action. After suffering a game-one, 1-3 loss that featured just two hits, the Bulldogs responded with a solid offensive production and dominant pitching in game two en route to a 5-1 victory for a doubleheader split.
In game one, the Bulldogs experienced some offensive woes by only plating one run in the top of the sixth inning, compliments of a solo round-tripper off the bat of sophomore third baseman Summer Smith (Redlands, CA). Senior left-fielder Grace Rose (Villa Park, CA) recorded the other base-knock, which was a double to left-center field in the first inning.
Senior hurler Lauren Henson (Riverside, CA) picked up the loss after tossing a decent game through four frames. She allowed one run in the bottom of the second inning while scattering four hits. Freshman reliever Jessica Doss (San Mateo, CA) chucked two innings while allowing two runs and three hits.
Game two saw more production and lively bats, as the Bulldogs relied on two big innings to set the pace for the contest.
After surrendering the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, freshman starter Lindsey Mifsud (Belmont, CA) was untouchable the remainder of the way, as she scattered four hits and retired the side in the third, fourth, and fifth innings through five frames of work.
The Bulldogs erupted for three runs in the top of the second inning, as freshman designated player Mika Imoto (Vista, CA) brought home freshman pinch-runner Jennifer Ng (Pleasanton, CA) with a single to center field for Redlands' first run of the game. Junior catcher Lali Garza (Granite Bay, CA) kept the offensive train chugging a batter later with a single to left field, scoring freshman second baseman Hayley Romo (Port Orchard, WA). Senior center-fielder AJ Carrasco (Whittier, CA) capped off the offensive outburst by smacking a two-bagger to left field, allowing Garza to touch home and hand the Bulldogs a 3-1 advantage.
Senior first baseman Vicki King (Thousand Oaks, CA) added to the Maroon and Gray's lead in the top of the fifth inning by launching a two-out dinger over the left-field wall, scoring Rose, en route to a 5-1 victory.
Along with notching the initial RBI-single, Imoto impressed in the circle by chucking two flawless frames while allowing a meaningless two hits. Mifsud earned the victory.
King paced the offense with a 1-for-4 day with a two-run homerun, two RBI, and a run scored. Imoto had two hits, while Romo notched a double.
The Bulldogs (26-12, 16-10 SCIAC) return home on Saturday, April 30, to face off against the Cal Lutheran University Regals in a SCIAC doubleheader on a day that will recognize the seniors. Game times are set for 12 noon and 2 p.m. at the Field of Dreams.
