WHITTIER, Calif. – The Poets and Sagehens split Saturday during the Annual Strike Out Cancer Event slimming the softball team's chances of earning a spot in the SCIAC Post Season Tournament.

Following a lopsided win in game one, the Poets came back to force extras in game two but a big ninth inning for the Sagehens propelled them to their first victory over the Purple & Gold this season. 

Whittier remains in contention for a SCIAC Post Season Berth but will have to win the final four games of the regular season, which proves a tough test against La Verne and Cal Lutheran.  But not only is a berth still existent but the Poets are also one game away from tying the single season wins record, which is 24.

Throughout the doubleheader, the softball teams conducted a raffle to raise funds for Strike out Cancer Awareness, they donned the field in the color pink and around the diamond were a number of individuals who were showing their support by wearing the color pink, including both teams.  in between the two games, a ceremony took place where the teams recognized four cancer survivors and came together for a universal cause.  

Game 1 (W, 6-1)

Pomona-Pitzer earned a run in the top half of the first but that would be their lone run for the game as Whittier would add three in the first and three in the second en route to their 23^rd win on the season.

Samantha Mellano doubled through the right side scoring Alexandra Flores before Courtney DeLano singled to center bringing home Mercedez Cundiff and Mellano.

Mellano would double again in the second plating Emi Shimamoto and Ashlyn Canchola before Mickala Gonzales would double in Mellano moving the score to 6-1.

This would be all DeLano would need as she would mow down the Sagehen batters in yet another complete game victory giving up a run on six hits, while striking out three.

Mellano had her breakout game of the season going 4-4 with three RBI's and two runs scored.  She was joined by Canchola who has been red hot over the past few games finishing 2-3 with a run scored.      

Game 2 (L, 5-3)     

In the second game of the doubleheader it was all Sagehens in the early going who added three runs in the first two innings sparked by an Ashley Morello double to left center. 

Eden Griffen used this lead and kept the Poet bats at bay for the first five innings giving up a mere four hits holding WC scoreless.  But in the sixth Whittier would respond with a two out rally.  Gonzales reached on a single to left and then came around to score on a Jordan Learn double.   

Trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh and with two outs, Whittier rallied once again.  Flores got things started with a single to right eventually stealing second and coming home on a Shimamoto double to left center.  Shimamoto was then plated by a big Mellano single to center that tied the game up forcing extras and with a runner in scoring position with a chance for a walk off victory, DeLano grounded out to second ending the Poet rally.

After a scoreless Top half of the eighth, Whittier had an opportunity to take the doubleheader getting runners on first and second with just one out but a Canchola pop out and a fly out from Flores would end the threat giving Pomona-Pitzer hope.

In the ninth, Meagan Tokunaga led things off as a pinch hitter and lined a double down the left field line.  Morello then walked to put runners on first and second before DeLano settled down retiring Quinn Sheehy and Tokunaga who was forced out at third. 

But with two outs, Pomona-Pitzer didn't go away as Susanne Boden walked to load the bases before Morello scored on a passed ball and a Caitlyn Hynes single up the middle brought home the fifth run of the game for the Sagehens. 

Trailing by two, Whittier looked to put together another comeback but three straight fly balls would stop the Poets chance of taking the doubleheader allowing PP to come away with the split.

DeLano started game two and was tagged with the loss giving up two earned runs on eight hits, while striking out four.  Flores led the offense going 2-5 with a run scored, while Learn and DeLano were 2-4. 

Whittier has two regular season doubleheaders on the schedule.  This Friday, April 18 against La Verne on the road and Cal Lutheran at home on Saturday, April 19 on senior day with game times set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.