The University of Redlands softball team used a big third inning to grab a 5-2 victory over Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opponent Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Friday afternoon.

Redlands capitalized in its first chance at the plate on a two-out rally. Junior first baseman Abigail Bates (Moreno Valley, CA) got the rally going with a single to center and came home on a junior right fielder Sam Rivas (Whittier, CA) base hit, 1-0.

Pomona-Pitzer answered back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 1-1.

The Bulldogs put together another two-out rally in the third to jump out in front 5-1. First-year catcher Megan Watkins (Beaumont, CA) got things going with a base hit and was joined on base by Rivas. Junior second baseman Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA) then knocked a two-RBI double to give the Bulldogs back the lead and then some, 3-1.

First-year third baseman Madison Alves (Kingsburg, CA) kept things rolling with a two-RBI double of her own to further distance Redlands from the Sagehens, 5-1.

Pomona-Pitzer managed to tack on another run in the bottom of the third, but first-year pitcher Madeline Gonzalez (Colton, CA) wouldn't allow anymore to secure the win. She threw four strikeouts in her seven innings in the circle.

The Bulldogs doubled the Sagehens' hit total, out-hitting the home squad 12-6.

Redlands (9-4, 5-2 SCIAC) looks to carry its offensive power into Saturday's doubleheader with Pomona-Pitzer. First pitch is set for 12 noon.