Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College softball team wrapped up their non-conference schedule Saturday as they split with DePauw University dropping game one 5-2 before coming out on top 9-3 in game two.

Game 1 (L, 5-2)

Marialena Ahern (Fremont, Calif.) got the scoring started for the Purple & Gold blasting her eighth homerun of the season to deep left that put WC on top 2-0.  But these would be the only runs brought across as DePauw's Brooke Bandy and Ashlee Gibson would combine to throw six shutout innings. 

Rachel Alhanati (Lake Forest, Calif.) got the start in game one and threw 5.0 innings strong but ran into trouble in the fifth when she gave up two runs, both unearned as the Tigers would tie the game up.

She came out in the sixth and gave up a leadoff hit and was replaced by Samantha Blum (San Jose, Calif.) who was unable to quiet the DePauw bats as they would add another three runs going on top 5-2. 

This lead would hold despite the Poets getting runners on second and third in the bottom half of the inning but they were unable to come across allowing DePauw to escape with the game one victory.

Kacey Whitney (Cypress, Calif.) had the only multi-hit game going 2-4.  Ahern was 1-2 with a run scored and two runs batted in.          

Game 2 (W, 9-3)

Whittier saw themselves fall behind early 2-0 in game two.  They managed to get one back that cut the deficit in half with Madison Crimi-Demichele (San Jose, Calif.) reaching on an error by the center fielder allowing Megan Heal (San jose, Calif.) to score.

The Poets would go on top the very next inning with a two-spot off the bat of Ahern who doubled down the left field line scoring Kaitlyn Garza (Chino, Calif.).  Heal would fly out to deep left that would bring in the second run.

In the fourth, DePauw managed to tie things up as Katerina Panos would single up the middle scoring Sammi Bell but they wouldn't get anything else as freshman Sarah Crawford (San Diego, Calif.) would shut down the Tigers over the next three innings picking up her second win on the season.

Crawford also helped herself out at the plate putting the game out of reach with a grand slam in the sixth, her first collegiate homerun to deep center as Whittier would put the game on ice.

Crawford went a complete game giving up three runs on six hits.  She was also 2-3 at the plate with four RBI's and a run scored.

Garza was 2-4 with two runs scored and a run batted in and Natalia Sanchez (Chino Hills, Calif.) was a perfect 2-2 reaching base all three times.          

Whittier has SCIAC games left on their schedule and remains at home next Saturday, March 26 when they take on Occidental College with game times set for 12:00pm and 2:00pm.