REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team opened up 2022 Saturday with a clean sweep over the University of Puget Sound claiming a pair of run rule victories 8-0 and 10-2.
Game 1 (8-0 | 5 Innings)
The Maroon and Grey got off to a strong start in the first game with a three spot in their opening at bats. Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) led off the inning with a double and moved over to third after a Kayln Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) single. Danielle Stallings (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) then earned a walk but the last pitch got away from the catcher allowing Horton to come in and score. Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA) then stepped in and singled loading the bases and Collette Allen (Sierra Madre, CA) would bring in the second run with a foul out to the shortstop. After a fielders choice and a hit by pitch that loaded the bases for a second time, Isabella Culp (Hanford, CA) would keep the rally going drawing a base on balls that put up another run.
In the second inning the Bulldogs doubled their advantage with Horton again leading off the big inning this time with a triple to left center. Stallings then drove her in with a base hit to center and Gordon then followed with her second hit on the day right up the middle putting runners on first and second. Tsianina Flores (Corona, CA) kept the inning going with a walk that loaded the bases and first year Paige Messenlehner (Fresno, CA) would come up clutch with a two-run single that moved the score to 6-0.
After a scoreless third and fourth the Bulldogs put up another two in the fifth that ended the game. Messenlehner started the inning off with a base hit to the pitcher before stealing second. Alexa Yarbro (Murrieta, CA) then drove her in with a base hit to center and moved up a base after Horton collected her third hit on the day, a single to right. A pair of steals would then setup UR with two runners in scoring position and that would be enough as Stallings would connect for a base hit scoring the second run in the frame.
Stallings got the start on the mound and threw a complete game shutout picking up her first win on the season. She threw all 5.0 Innings giving up just one hit with a pair of strikeouts. She also finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and two RBI's. Horton missed out on hitting for the cycle as she went 4-for-4 with two runs scored, a triple, double and two base hits. Messenlehner added a 2-for-2 effort scoring once and driving in a pair. Gordon was 2-for-3 coming around twice to score and Yarbro finished 2-for-3.
Game 2 (10-2 | 5 Innings)
It was a slow start for the Bulldogs in Game 2 seeing the Loggers jump out to a 1-0 lead after their opening at-bats. UR combined for just one hit through the first two innings but saw all of that change in the third when they scored six runs on five hits, while capitalizing on a UPS error. Back to back singles from Yarbro and Horton got the big inning started and Kershner loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. Gordon then stepped in and reached on a fielder's choice and due to an error by the shortstop two runs were able to come in and score. After that Allen and Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) collected base hits that scored another two and Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA) ended the frame with a double to center.
After allowing a run in the top half of the fifth, Redlands answered in their at-bats with four runs on four hits sparked by a solo shot from Gordon. Other base hits in the inning came from Allen with a single on the infield, Campos doubling to left, and Messenlehner singling up the middle scoring one. Later in the inning with the bases loaded Aya Smith (Redlands, CA) drew a walk that plated another and Sierra Daley (Torrance, CA) would drive in the final run with a sacrifice fly to center.
Horton, Gordon, Allen, and Campos each finished 2-for-3 and combined for seven runs scored and eight runs batted in. Long got the start and threw a complete game going all 5.0 Innings giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits, while striking out two.
Redlands returns to the diamond next weekend, February 18-19 for their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opener with Pomona-Pitzer. They will travel for a single game against the Sagehens on Friday, Feb. 18 with first pitch set for 2:00pm and will then return home to the "Field of Dreams" Saturday, Feb. 19 for a doubleheader at 11:00am and 1:00pm.
