REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team took on Willamette University in a doubleheader at "The Field of Dreams" on Thursday afternoon coming away with a split, which proved to be the most exciting doubleheader this season.
The Maroon and Grey forced to come from behind on four different occasions throughout the day split with the Bearcats dropping an 11-10 extra inning contest in Game 1 before walking off in Game 2 5-4.
Redlands moves back over .500 at 10-9, 5-4 SCIAC and are now 5-5 against non-conference opponents this season.
Game 1 (L, 11-10 | 8-Innings)
In the first game on the day the Bulldogs took a 4-1 lead early thanks to a four-run third inning that included a two-run double from Sierra Daley (Torrance, CA), an RBI triple to center from Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA), and an RBI single to left by starting pitcher Danielle Stallings (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA).
The Bulldogs squandered this lead though in the fifth when they allowed the Bearcats to score four of their own swinging the momentum and putting them on top for the second time, 5-4. Stallings though was able to help herself out in the bottom half of the frame getting UR even on the scoreboard with an RBI double to right center with two outs, which plated Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA).
After the sixth and seventh innings, the Bulldogs looked like they were out of the game when the Bearcats tacked on another four runs going back on top this time 9-5. But again the Bulldogs fought back putting up four runs on four hits in their final at-bats. Collette Allen (Sierra Madre, CA) led off the inning with a single on the infield and was followed by three straight doubles from Daley, Gordon, and Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI), which pulled Redlands within one. The very next batter with two outs was Aya Smith (Redlands, CA) who reached on an error by the shortstop, which allowed the game-tying run to come in from third forcing extra innings.
In extras each team got to start with a runner on second base (International Rules) during their at-bats and the Bearcats took advantage pushing two runs across in the top half of the eighth, which proved crucial. Redlands attempted a rally in their half with Campos tripling down the right field line bringing home Isabella Culp (Hanford, CA). The very next batter, Daley put a tough ball on the infield, which the pitcher was able to gather near the first base line before throwing a strike to the second baseman covering ending the comeback.
Daley (2-for-5, two double, two runs scored, and three RBIs), Gordon (2-for-4, double, triple, two runs, and two RBIs), and Stallings (2-for-4, double, two RBIs) all drove home multiple runs as the Bulldogs put up ten runs on eleven hits. Stallings started the game going 6.2 Innings giving up nine runs (six earned) with five strikeouts. She left with the no decision. Campos was charged with her first loss of the season after she threw the final 1.0 Inning giving up two runs (one earned) and a hit.
Game 2 (W, 5-4)
The second game of the doubleheader appeared like it was going to be emblematic of the Bulldogs season as the Bearcats scored twice in the first inning before taking a 3-0 lead in the top half of the third. Kershner helped get one of those runs back in the bottom half of the frame when she singled up the middle plating Daley and Annabelle Gutierrez (Gilroy, CA) picked up another run for the Bulldogs in the fourth scoring on a passed ball, moving the deficit to two.
After allowing four runs across the first three innings, Kershner settled down and held the Bearcats scoreless over the final 4.2 innings helping in the Bulldogs comeback.
In the sixth Redlands put together a late two-out rally with Isabella Bojorquez (Redlands, CA) singling through the left side for her first collegiate hit. Two batters later Allen stepped in and drove a ball down the right field line. The right fielder took a tough angle to the ball, while battling the sun and was forced to chase it down to the fence. Bojorquez did not see where the ball went and almost stopped at third before being waved in by Head Coach Jose Ortega. Allen was right behind her racing all the way around for an inside the park homerun, her first of her career and that tied the game up at 4-4.
After a shutdown inning in the top of the seventh where Kershner had to work around two singles, Gordon stepped in and crushed a leadoff first pitch fastball to dead center field for a walk-off solo shot that helped the Bulldogs come away with the split.
Allen (2-for-4, home run, two RBIs) was responsible for half of the Bulldogs RBIs, and Campos (2-for-4) recorded her fourth multi-hit game of the season, Gordon (2-for-4, a solo home run) hit her fourth home run on the year, and Kershner (2-for-3, double, RBI) had her sixth multi-hit game of the season. Kershner also picked up her first win on the season throwing a complete game giving up four runs on nine hits, while walking four and striking out six.
Redlands returns to the diamond this Saturday, March 26 remaining in their non-conference schedule hosting Lewis & Clark with game times set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.