THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Softball team (18-11, 8-5) was able to hold off California Lutheran University (CLU) to open the series with a 7-4 win Friday afternoon picking up their third straight win within conference play.
The first run of the game came on a fielding error by the shortstop as Brooklyn Bard (Garden Grove, CA), who walked and stole second to lead off the game, was able to come in to make it 1-0. The Regals quickly got the run back with an RBI-single in the bottom half of the inning.
After a scoreless second, the Bulldogs plated four runs in the third. Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) and Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) walked and singled to begin the inning. Horton scored as Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) reached on an error by the pitcher.
One of the two big hits of the inning came from Paige Messenlehner (Easton, CA) who doubled to left scoring Kershner to make it 3-1. The other big hit came from Annabelle Gutierrez (Gilroy, CA) who hit a two-run single through the five-six hole scoring Avery Duran (Corona, CA) and then Messenlehner for what would be the game-winning run.
Campos got another cushion run in the fourth as she scored Horton for the sixth run of the game as Horton scored for the second time after walking, stealing second, and advancing to third on a passed ball.
The Regals, though, got themselves back into the game with three runs in the fifth. They had three hits and had five players reach base to start the inning, but Katlyn Gandara (Whittier, CA) and the Bulldog defensive unit was able to get out of trouble with a double play and a line out holding CLU to those three runs scored and the two tying runs being left on base.
In the very next half inning Kershner continued her fantastic season at the plate with runners in scoring position as she singled with the bases loaded bringing in Adyson Kim (Millbrae, CA), who doubled to open the frame, moving the score to 7-4.
Redlands scored seven runs but they could have had more as they walked six times and left nine runners on base. Gandara and the defense were also able to get out of jams as they worked around nine Regal hits, while stranding five.
Horton led the offense by reaching base four times, all on walks, while scoring twice and stealing a base. Despite no runs scored or an RBI, catcher Isabella Culp (Hanford, CA) continued her strong Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) hitting as she went 2-for-3 and is now hitting 75 points higher in conference play. Joining Culp with two hits was Gutierrez and Kim. Then in the circle Gandara went the distance and got her ninth win of the season.
Redlands with host the Regals at the Field of Dreams Saturday, April 15 for a doubleheader with first pitches set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.