The University of Redlands softball team split the day against Whitworth University in a non-conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon to open the season.
The Bulldogs dropped the first game with a 3-6 loss but bounced back with a 5-2 victory in the nightcap to start the season 1-1. The Pirates also open the season 1-1.
Things were close in the first game as the Bulldogs made some key stops on defense. Sophomore shortstop Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) made a diving catch to start the top of the second as first-year pitcher Madeline Gonzalez (Colton, CA) followed with two strikeouts to keep the Pirates scoreless.
Junior second baseman Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA) got the scoring going in the bottom of the third with the first home run of her career, but the Pirates responded with two runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to jump in front 6-1.
Redlands rallied in the sixth to plate two runs. With bases loaded and one out, junior Sam Rivas (Whittier, CA) came in to pinch-hit and drew a walk to score the first of two runs. Redlands' third run of the game came on a wild pitch, allowing sophomore first baseman Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA) to score. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs could not muster any more, falling short in game one, 3-6.
The Maroon and Gray got on the board first in the nightcap as well, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second. Redlands loaded the bases with one out and senior Jaci Sanchez (Lakewood, CA) came in to pinch-hit. She sent a sacrifice fly to deep center field to allow first-year utility player Megan Watkins (Beaumont, CA) to tag up and score. Horton then stepped up to the plate and blasted an RBI single through the right side to give Redlands a 2-0 lead.
Whitworth plated a run in the fourth, but the Bulldogs scored three more to increase their lead to 5-1. Redlands put its first three batters on base and Rivas stepped up yet again as a pinch hitter, knocking a ball deep to right to allow Horton to tag up at third and score.
The Pirates got another out to threaten to end the inning, but defensive mistakes allowed two more Bulldogs to score.
Whitworth scored one more time in the top of the seventh, but Redlands followed with three-straight outs to seal the 5-2 victory.
The Bulldogs are back in action next Friday, February 14, to start Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action, by hosting Chapman University at 1 p.m.
