The University of Redlands softball team returned to action for the first time in 385 days on Saturday with a non-conference doubleheader at No. 8 Concordia University – Irvine. Although they battled the NCAA Division II foes, the Bulldogs came out on the losing end by scores of 0-3 and 7-8.
During the opener, the Eagles produced a single run in the first and then tacked on two more in the fifth inning.
One of Redlands' best chances to score came in the top of the fifth with two runners on off a pair of walks and two fielder's choices but two outs. The Maroon and Gray followed that up with back-to-back singles from senior left fielder Tsianina Flores (Corona, CA) and first-year shortstop Collette Allen (Sierra Madre, CA) in the top of the sixth, but the Eagles' defense stepped up to end the rallies.
First-year pitcher Ali Borden (Santa Barbara, CA) took the loss from the circle after 4.1 innings of work. She struck out two, forced six groundouts, and scattered three hits in her collegiate debut with the Bulldogs.
Redlands overcame a four-run hole with strong back-to-back innings in game two but suffered a tough 7-8 loss.
With runners on second and third in the top of the third inning, sophomore centerfielder Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) connected on an RBI-single to left field. Two batters later, Allen doubled to a similar spot, which sent sophomore third baseman Madison Alves (Kingsburg, CA) home to cut the deficit in half.
After giving up a run in the bottom of the third, the Bulldogs immediately responded with a five-spot in the fourth frame. With runners in scoring position, Alves stepped up for the well-timed double to plate senior second baseman Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA) and junior pinch runner Brooks McVicker (Fort Collins, CO). Following the Eagles' subsequent pitching change, Allen blasted a ball over the fence for a three-run shot and the Maroon and Gray's 7-5 lead.
However, CUI tied things up with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth and then pushed across the eventual winning run in the sixth.
Allen accounted for four of the team's eight RBI in game two.
Redlands (0-2) heads to Cal Lutheran University on Friday, April 9, for a 2 p.m. single game against the Regals.