REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team wrapped up their non-conference schedule Tuesday afternoon at the "Field of Dreams" dropping a 4-0 decision to No. 10 DePauw University.
Redlands drops to 12-10, 5-4 SCIAC, while No. 10 DePauw improves to 12-5 and extend their winning streak to nine games.
The Bulldogs got off to a quick start with Danielle Stallings (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) going three up, three down in the top of the first on only five pitches. Collette Allen (Sierra Madre, CA) then led off the bottom half with a double into right center, and Sierra Daley (Torrance, CA) drew a walk that put runners on the corners, but both were left stranded as the Tigers were able to end the threat with a strikeout.
After two Tigers scored in the top half of the second, the Bulldogs got another runner on when Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) got hit-by-a-pitch, but again the runner would get left on base as the next two batters would strike out ending the rally.
Redlands went into their half of the fifth down 4-0 and loaded the bases after Isabella Culp (Hanford, CA) reached on an error by the shortstop, Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) singled to left, and Daley drew her second walk of the game. But with two outs DePauw was able to strand all three runners as a groundout would end the threat keeping UR off the scoreboard.
Aya Smith (Redlands, CA) came out of the bullpen to relieve Stallings in the sixth and threw two scoreless innings and kept the Bulldogs within four runs as they headed to their final half inning. There, Allen would double for the second time but then got unlucky as a grounder up the middle to the shortstop would get her tagged out when she was diving back into the bag. This put two outs on the board bringing up recently named SCIAC Hitter of the Week Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA), but she was unable to get a ball in play striking out to end the game.
The Bulldogs left nine runners on base and struck out a season-high eleven times, and tied for a season low with three hits and did not record a strikeout in the circle, which was a first this season. On the positive side the pitching only allowed six hits (tied for the fourth fewest), allowed only three earned runs (9-2 coming in when allowing three or fewer earned runs).
Allen (2-for-4, two doubles), Campos (1-for-3, HBP), and Daley (two walks) reached base multiple times. Smith came in and did not allow a hit and walked one across two shutout innings. Stallings picked up the loss going to 9-3 on the season. She tossed 5.0 Innings giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits.
Redlands gets a few days off before returning to conference play this weekend, April 1-2. Friday they host the Panthers for a single game at 3:00pm before traveling to Orange County on Saturday for a doubleheader.
