REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team (5-4, 1-1 SCIAC) earned a doubleheader sweep over non-conference opponent Baldwin Wallace University (BWU) at The Field of Dreams Saturday. The Bulldogs won game one in run-rule fashion thanks to a five-run sixth and made a 3-1 comeback in game two to secure a 5-3 victory.
Game 1 (W, 8-0 | 6-Innings)
The Bulldogs were in a scoreless game until the bottom of the third when Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) drove in Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) on a sacrifice fly to right for the first run of the game.
Redlands starter Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) then made it 2-0 on an RBI-groundout to first base as Paige Messenlehner (Easton, CA) came in. That same inning Horton added another run on a single to right field that brought around Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA).
The Maroon and Grey put the game away with five runs in the sixth to run-rule the Yellow Jackets 8-0. In the inning Isabella Culp (Hanford, CA) doubled and scored Kim who reached on a walk, and Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) then singled home Culp to make it 5-0.
Kershner and Avery Duran (Corona, CA) also added RBI's during the surge with a double to left field and a bases loaded walk. Duran then scored the game-ending run on a wild pitch.
Gandara threw a complete game shutout as she allowed only three hits and walked only one batter while striking out five. She improves to 2-2.
Duran had a career-high three-hit day, Kershner drove in two runs, Horton was 2-for-4, and Kim walked and scored twice.
Of note, the Bulldogs stole four bases and had four extra-base hits.
Game 2 (W, 5-3)
After never trailing in the first game, the Yellow Jackets got on the board in the first inning in Game 2 on an infield single that made it 1-0. An inning later Madison Lourenco (Fontana, CA) got the offense going for UR doubling to left center before coming in on a Kim sacrifice on the infield.
The Bulldogs then found themselves down by two, 3-1, after four innings following a two-run top of the fourth for BWU.
Redlands did not waste time, scoring their last four runs all in the fifth. Horton led off the inning with a single to center before stealing second base. Following two outs Duran then stepped up and tripled to right field plating Horton, making it a one score game. Lourenco followed with a single to right center bringing across the game-tying run and Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA) kept the inning going with a triple to left center putting UR on top. Bard was then brought in as insurance thanks to Messenlehner who singled to third moving the score to 5-3.
In the circle first-year Ally Forbell (Salinas, CA) came on in relief and threw 3.2 Innings while allowing only one hit, no runs or walks, and striking out two Yellow Jackets. She collected her first collegiate victory.
The Bulldogs were very active on the base paths, stealing another six bases while totaling three extra-base hits, including a pair of triples.
Lourenco got the start behind the plate and went 2-for-2 with a walk, RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. The two hits and three times reaching base are a career-high.
The Bulldogs non-conference adventures continue Monday, March 6 when they host Alfred University in a doubleheader at the Field of Dreams with first pitches set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.
