Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College softball team was held to just three runs Wednesday as they dropped a doubleheader to No. 23 University of Redlands 10-2 and 4-1 to drop to 8-2, 4-2 SCIAC.
The sweep halted the eight game winning streak by the Purple & Gold and handed senior ace Courtney DeLano her first two losses of the season.
Game 1 (L, 10-2)
Redlands opened the doubleheader in game one with 10 runs on 12 hits closing out the contest in six innings. After adding four runs in the first four innings, UR opened the game up with a six spot in the top half of the 6th sparked by a two-RBI double by Amanda Clark that extended the lead to 10-0 in favor for the Maroon and Gray.
Whittier would add two in the bottom half of the 6th off the bat of DeLano who sent one over the center field fence for her team leading fourth homerun of the season but it would be a little too late as Sarah Miller was gunned out at home following an Alexandra Flores double, which stopped the Poet rally.
DeLano was charged with the loss going just 3.0 innings giving up four runs on eight hits. Her counterpart Kaitlyn Hooper went a complete game picking up her sixth win of the season after giving up two runs on eight hits.
Flores and Delano each had two hits, while Mercedez Cundiff was 1-3 with a run scored.
Game 2 (L, 4-1)
In the nightcap, Vicki King got things started with a two out shot to left that put the Bulldogs in front 2-0. Whittier had an opportunity to cut the deficit to one in the 3rd. Freshman Samantha Blum got things started with a double to right and was moved over by Miller, but a ground out and strike out would end the Poet threat keeping them off the scoreboard.
Redlands would add to their lead in the 4th when Kristen Hooper doubled to right center that scored AJ Carrasco and would add their fourth the following inning thanks to a solo shot from Nikoli Sharp. Whittier would get another chance to put runs on the board in the 5th. Blum led things off with a single up the middle and was followed by a Miller walk. After a flyout from Flores, Emi Shimamoto singled to right to load the bases, which was immediately followed by a Samantha Mellano single to right that brought in the first Poet run. Then with the bases loaded, Whittier had Mickala Gonzales up in the cleanup spot but popped up to the shortstop stopping the threat.
DeLano was charged with the loss after going a complete game giving up four runs on seven hits. Lauren Henson earned her first victory on the season going 4.0 innings giving up a run on six hits, with Casey Maltz picking up her first save of the season going three shutout innings.
Mellano finished 3-4 with a run batted in to lead the Poet offense.
Whittier remains at home this Friday, March 7 when they host Chapman University with game times set for 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
