The University of Redlands softball team came from behind in dramatic fashion to grab an 8-7 victory over Chapman University to open Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Friday afternoon.
After Chapman put six runs on the board in its first four chances at the plate, Redlands got to work in the bottom of the fifth.
Junior second baseman Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA) opened the inning up with a single up the middle and which was followed by a base-knock by junior right fielder Abigail Bates (Moreno Valley, CA). Senior Jaci Sanchez (Lakewood, CA) came in as a pinch-hitter and drew a walk to load the bases with no outs, allowing sophomore designated player Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) to knock an RBI single to left.
Junior left fielder Tsianina Flores (Corona, CA) kept the hitting spree going with a single down the left-field line, sending another Bulldog run in to cut the deficit to 2-6. An error plated another two runs before junior center fielder Sam Rivas (Whittier, CA) fouled off deep in left to send Flores home after tagging up at third to put Redlands within one, 5-6.
The Panthers tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth, 7-5, and turned a double play in the bottom half of the inning to put pressure on the Bulldogs in the seventh.
Redlands didn't allow a run in the top half of the frame and started the bottom of the seventh with a double from Flores. Sophomore first baseman Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA) bunted her over to third and Rivas sent her home with a base hit just inside the left-field foul line.
Chapman got two outs, but the Bulldogs dug deep and loaded the bases. Bates then stepped up to the plate and knocked a hard ball to the left of the shortstop. The Panther dove to try to get it and toss the ball to second for the force out, but Moran slid safely into the base. Meanwhile, Rivas scored to tie the game and first-year Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) rounded third to score the game-winning run and lift the Bulldogs 8-7.
Redlands (2-1, 1-0 SCIAC) and Chapman square off again on Saturday for a doubleheader in Orange, CA, with first pitch set for noon.