The University of Redlands softball team made the trek to Cal Lutheran University on Sunday for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader against the Regals. With big bats backed by stellar pitching, the Bulldogs came home with a sweep by scores of 4-0 and 12-2, with the second victory coming in five innings.
Redlands wasted no time in pushing a run across, as senior first baseman Olivia Vierra (Burlingame, CA) blasted a two-RBI home run in the top of the first inning.
With junior pitcher Lindsey Mifsud (Belmont, CA) cruising from the circle, the Bulldogs stretched that lead to 4-0 with single runs in the third and fifth frames. With runners at second and third, first-year center fielder Samantha Rivas (Whittier, CA) crushed a single to score junior catcher Nova Siegel (Fairfield, CA). In the fifth, Redlands loaded the bases on hits from senior shortstop Ursyla Baumgarten (Penngrove, CA), Rivas, and sophomore left fielder Jaci Sanchez (Lakewood, CA) before junior second baseman Jordyn Smith (Highland, CA) plated Baumgarten on a fielder's choice.
Mifsud faced 26 total batters and dispersed four hits in the shutout, with three of the innings coming in three-up-three-down fashion.
During the second game, the Bulldogs' bats came alive for 14 hits in a 12-2, five-inning triumph. Redlands scored at least two runs in all but one inning, as highlighted by senior designated player Shannon Skrzynski's (Pomona, CA) grand slam in the top of the second inning.
The Bulldogs jumped on the board in the top of the first off of Skrzynski's first multi-bag hit of the game, as her bases-clearing double plated three runs for the early lead.
The second-inning scoring began with Baumgarten's sacrifice fly before Skrzynski went yard with the bases juiced.
Redlands continued to put up runs with a two-spot in the fourth, as Rivas knocked a triple for an RBI and first-year left fielder Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA) walked on a passed ball for a Rivas run.
First-year pitcher Jocelyn Hernandez (Downey, CA) threw the first four innings of the second game in an efficient matter while facing only 17 batters for 12 outs with two hits and two runs. Junior pitcher Mika Imoto (Vista, CA) closed out the final frame to secure the Bulldogs' sweeping victory.
Skrzynski went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run for seven RBI in the second game alone.
Redlands (11-13, 6-6 SCIAC) returns home to face the Athenas of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Friday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at the Softball Field of Dreams.