Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – It was a difficult way to taste defeat for the first time this season as the Whittier softball team was run ruled in five innings in Game 1 and saw its comeback attempt derailed by an explosive seventh frame from Redlands on Sunday afternoon.

The Poets (4-2, 0-2 SCIAC) faced a 5-1 deficit heading into the home half of the sixth but scored six runs on six hits to take a 7-5 lead into the final stanza.

Whittier opened the inning with three straight singles after Courtney DeLano reached by being hit by a pitch. The last single of the trio scored the first run of the inning for the purple and gold.

Ashley Perez kept the small going with an RBI single and Denisse Martinez drove in a pair of runs on a single to left field. On the hit, Martinez advanced to second on the throw which proved to be crucial. Molly Yriarte, the ensuing batter, drove the next pitch to deep left center field and thought she hit her first homerun of the season.  

The senior was thrown out at second as she began her homerun trot. However, the out came after Martinez crossed home and the Poets had a 7-5 lead.

The Poets appeared on their way to splitting the series but Redlands answered with seven runs on five hits to seal the win. The first two batters reached base and were moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt.

After loading the bases, a two RBI single up the middle tied the game but the Bulldogs were far from over.  The inning was highlighted by an RBI triple and capped with an RBI single to left.

Whittier went down in order in the seventh and Redlands won 12-7.

Perez had two hits in the night cap and was joined by Yriarte and Townsend with multi-hit afternoons.

Heather Dady started in the circle and allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits in 4.2 innings. Jessica Rosnack was tagged with the loss in 2.1 innings of work. She allowed seven runs (four earned) on five hits.

In the first game, the Poets scored first on a solo homerun off the bat of Martinez in the bottom of the first but that only sparked what turned into homerun fest by Redlands.

The Bulldogs totaled four round-trippers which includes three in a span of four batters during the five-run third inning.

As a team the Poets were held to three hits with Martinez totaling two.

Ana Cade got the start and went 2.1 innings. She allowed four runs on four hits and suffered the loss. DeLano threw the final 2.2 innings and gave up six runs on seven hits.

The Poets will be back in action next weekend as they host Pomona-Pitzer and Chapman on Saturday and Sunday, each, respectively.