THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College softball team rebounded from a five inning loss in Game 1 to bounce Cal Lutheran, 5-4, in the second game and earn the double header split on Saturday afternoon at Hutton Field.

Whittier (10-7, 4-4 SCIAC) scored all five of its runs in its first two at bats and held off a late rally by the Regals to secure the win.

Kellie Canida led off the game with a walk and scored two batters later on an RBI triple by Mary Pacheco. Molly Yriarte brought around Pacheco in the next at bat and Jennifer Luders capped the three-run first with an RBI single of her own.

The Poets pushed two more runs across the plate in the second which includes the eventual game winner. Yriarte hit a sacrifice fly that scored Cynthia Loza and Janae Townsend drove in Brenda Thompson for the all important fifth run.

Thompson finished the game with two hits to lead the WC offensive effort.

Erica Zamora got the start in the second game and went 6.0 innings. She allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and improved her record to 3-2. Heather Dady tossed the final inning and earned her first save of the seam with a perfect seventh frame.

Just as the Poets got on the board early in the second game, it was Cal Lutheran who struck WC with eight runs in the home half of the first in Game 1.

The Regals were able to chase freshman starting pitcher Jessica Rosnack after one inning. Rosnack allowed eight runs (four earned) on four hits.

The Whittier bats were held in check as only four batters got a base hit led by Pacheco who was 2-for-2.

The Poets return to action tomorrow afternoon for a double header at against Pomona-Pitzer. The first pitch of Game 1 is schedule for Noon at Palmer Field.