Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

REDLANDS, Calif. - The 2014 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament began on Friday at the University of Redlands Softball "Field of Dreams", and after the day was complete, Claremont-M-S, the University of Redlands, and Whittier College all remained alive with a shot at the tournament title.

CMS (27-12) finished the day as the only undefeated team, defeating third-seeded Chapman University in its first game, 6-0, while coming from behind to top Redlands, 5-4.

Game 1 (Redlands; L, 7-4)

The top seeded Bulldogs of the University of Redlands opened the game with a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the second frame by taking advantage of two big hits after three Poet miscues.  Amanda Lievanos fired off a two-run double to right field, with Kristen Hooper and Kaitlyn Hooper both crossing home plate.  In the Bulldogs' next at-bat, Vicki King blasted one of the longest home runs in Redlands history well over the left-field scoreboard to score two more. 

However, Whittier rallied for four runs over the course of the subsequent three innings.  Sarah Miller started off the third with a walk and moved over following a fielding error putting runners on first and second.  Alexandra Flores then singled to center moving Miller over to third prior to stealing second.  Then with one out, Emi Shimamoto brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly.

They would add another three in the fifth on three hits led by a Samantha Mellano base knock up the middle and a key throwing error by the Redlands pitcher but that would be the last offense gathered by the Purple & Gold as they would fall 7-4 in the opening round of the SCIAC Post Season Tournament. 

Freshman Samantha Blum got the start and surrendered just one earned run on six hits and struck out four in six innings of work. K. Hooper went four innings picking up the win giving up a mere one run on three hits.

Miller led the offense for Whittier going 2-2 with two runs scored in her first start of the season.      

Game 2 (Chapman; W, 6-4)
In a battle between two programs trying to avoid elimination from the post season tournament, Whittier came out on top 6-4 over the Panthers advancing to day two of the tournament.

The Poets went in front in the first inning when Flores blasted a home run over the left-field wall.  Whittier then scored three more to finish the opening frame capped off with a two RBI double from Jordan Learn and a Courtney DeLano single down the right field line, which gave them a commanding 4-0 advantage into the second.

Chapman would add two in the fifth but the Poets would add two themselves in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a double to left field from Learn that plated Mercedez Cundiff and Mickala Gonzales. 

Leading 6-2 in the seventh, Chapman managed to rally to add two with a Cartwright double to left and an A. Perez single up the middle that came off Anna Cade who came in relief of DeLano but the senior would buckle down to retire the last Panther batter to secure her first save of the season.

DeLano picked up the win going 4.2 innings giving up two unearned runs on one hit, while striking out two.  Cassie Oregel lasted just two innings giving up four runs on five hits in the loss.

Cundiff finished the game 2-3 with two runs scored, while Learn was 2-3 with a run scored and four runs batted in.

Whittier takes on Redlands in an elimination game tomorrow morning at 11:00am with the winner taking on Claremont-M-S at 1:30pm in the Championship Game, followed by an if-necessary second contest between the foes at 4:00pm.