The University of Redlands welcomed the Chapman University Panthers to the Field of Dreams on Sunday morning for an 11 a.m. game. In a 16-run, three-homer effort, the Bulldogs took the series in game three by a final score of 16-3.
Prior to the start of the game, Redlands celebrated the careers of Jaci Sanchez, and seniors Ryanna Curtis (Upland, CA), Sam Rivas (Whittier, CA), and Desiree Moran (Bakersfield, CA).
Chapman jumped on the board first with one run on one hit and a sacrifice fly. But their slight lead didn't last long as the Bulldogs put up a crooked number in the bottom of that inning.
Junior shortstop Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) reached on a Panther error and made her way to second. She subsequently stole third and snuck home on a wild pitch for the Bulldog's first run. Now with two on and two outs, S. Rivas stepped up and rocked a home run over the left-field fence for three RBI and a 4-1 Redlands lead after one.
The visiting team stayed on the Bulldog's heels scoring two in the second, with Redlands holding on to a slight 4-3 lead.
However, Curtis single-handedly increased the spread with a leadoff solo shot to left and a 5-3 advantage. Horton then got a base hit and impressively stole second and third. She was sent home the subsequent fielder's choice. Once again, with two on and two outs, junior third baseman Madison Alves (Kingsburg, CA) stepped up and homered to left to lead 9-3 after two.
The Maroon and Gray tacked on two more runs in the third on three hits for an 11-3 score but they weren't done yet. The home team got another burst of offense in the fifth inning for five more runs. The first two runs were scored on a bases-loaded walk and then an infield single. First-year Kylla Lafleur (Portland, OR) knocked an RBI single to right for an impressive pinch-hit at-bat which was followed by a first-year catcher Rylie Barber (San Ramon, CA) single to the same place for an RBI. The Bulldogs added their 16th and final run on another bases-loaded walk.
Sophomore pitcher Madeline Gonzalez (Colton, CA) secured the win from the circle going 3.1 innings with one strikeout.
S. Rivas and Barber each knocked three hits and combined for five RBI. Alves also supplied three RBI on her homerun. Horton led the team by scoring three runs.
The Bulldogs (11-5, 11-1 SCIAC) are excited to host the SCIAC Postseason Championship Tournament starting on Friday, May 14, for a 3 p.m. game with games on Saturday and Sunday as well. More details to follow on GoRedlands.com
