The top-seeded University of Redlands broke open a 2-2 tie to prevail over the second-seeded Chapman University Panthers, 9-2, in Saturday's game of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament.  The Bulldogs play for the championship on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Redlands Softball Field of Dreams.

Redlands jumped on the board with single runs in the second and third innings, before Chapman evened the tally by pushing across two runs in the fourth.

However, the Bulldogs immediately answered with a four-spot in the bottom of the frame to take a 6-2 lead.  After junior right fielder Kayla Rivas (Whittier, CA) smashed an RBI-triple, Redlands took advantage of the subsequent Panther pitching change.  With a runner on, junior shortstop Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) blasted a two-run shot over the right-field fence to extend the Maroon and Gray's lead.

Chapman moved a runner into scoring position in the top of the fifth but a stellar snag by sophomore centerfielder Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) kept the Panthers at bay.

After first-year pitcher Ali Borden (Santa Barbara, CA) retired the side, Redlands pushed runs across in the bottom of the sixth, with first-year second baseman Collette Allen (Sierra Madre, CA), sophomore first baseman Madeline Gonzalez (Colton, CA), and senior designated player Sam Rivas (Whittier, CA) each recording an RBI.

Borden shut down the Panthers in the seventh en route to the complete-game victory.

Horton went 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI.  Allen also provided a 3-for-4 showing with two RBI and one run scored.

Chapman bounced back to defeat Cal Lutheran University, 8-3, in Saturday's second elimination game to remain alive in the tournament.  As a result, the Bulldogs (13-5) face the Panthers again in Sunday's championship game at 11 a.m. at the Softball Field of Dreams.