CLAREMONT, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team split their road doubleheader against Pomona-Pitzer Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs took Game 1 7-6 and led 2-1 late in Game 2 before surrendering three runs in the sixth allowing the Sagehens to salvage the split.
Redlands moves to 15-9, 5-3 SCIAC and now move into 4th place within the SCIAC standings.
Game 1 (W, 7-6)
The Bulldogs were the first to score as they took advantage of a couple Sagehen errors making it a big second inning. In the frame UR scored four times, none of which came off hits as they led early on. Isabella Culp (Hanford, CA) and Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) each picked up RBI's.
Pomona-Pitzer responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs of their own, two of which were unearned due to an error on a sacrifice bunt. They capitalized on a pair of walks and added a two-run shot to tie the game.
After a scoreless third, Redlands reclaimed momentum with another multi-run inning, this time scoring three times, one off an RBI-single from Horton and two more on a throwing error. Kayla Jackson (Bishop, CA), Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA), and Horton all came around to score in the inning.
Over the next three innings Bulldog starter Brianna Garcia (Riverside, CA) and reliever Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA) held the Sagehens scoreless as they posted only two hits.
Despite a late rally from Pomona-Pitzer in the seventh, which included a two-run blast to draw them within one, 7-6, and then loading the bases later in the inning, Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) was able to finish off the game with her first career save.
The Bulldogs had only three hits on the game but walked eight times and were able to strand 12 Sagehens on base. Long picked up the win in relief, her second on the season after going 2.0 Innings giving up two runs on four hits. Horton was 1-for-4 scoring once and driving in two, while Campos scored once and drew a pair of walks.
Game 2 (L, 4-2)
Much like game one the Bulldogs got out in front early and forced the Sagehens to try and mount a comeback as they scored another two unearned runs in the first inning. Campos doubled and Horton scored on an error at third base, then Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) was safe on an error as Campos was able to score from third.
In the bottom of the fourth the lead was cut in half as the Sagehens got their first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Then in the sixth Pomona-Pitzer scored three times, twice thanks to errors as they went from down one to up two, 4-2, heading into the seventh.
In the seventh Long pinch hit and walked but a groundout and flyout ended the game as the Bulldogs lost the series 2-1.
Horton and Campos each had a pair of hits and the Bulldogs had six hits as a team, but only one walk reduced their offensive opportunities as they were scoreless for the final six innings.
In the circle Ally Forbell (Salinas, CA) started and threw six innings, a new career-high, with four runs but only two were earned as she takes the low-scoring loss.
Redlands travels to Chapman University, who currently sits in first place within the conference standings on Friday, April 7 beginning at 3:00 p.m. before hosting the Panthers on Saturday at noon for a doubleheader.