Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2022) – A huge offensive barrage from the Whittier College softball team, which began with a leadoff home run from senior third baseman Yolanda Oregel (Anaheim, Calif. / Loara), helped the Poets force a split with No. 20 Linfield College on Saturday afternoon.

Game 1: Linfield 3, Whittier 1

The first game of Saturday's doubleheader took on a more defensive tone, with both teams zooming through each other's lineups with relative ease through the first five innings. Junior starting pitcher Jamie Garvey (Wilmington, Calif. / El Camino College) led the charge for Whittier, pitching to contact while holding the Wildcats just one run through five innings of work. It would be the Poets, however, that drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth, when a hard-hit infield single from sophomore first baseman Emily Adkison (Laguna Niguel, Calif. / Mater Dei) created chaos in the infield and allow senior outfielder Sofia Paniagua (Glendora, Calif. / Glendora) to score from second base. Three other Poets would register hits in the first game of the day, with Paniagua and Oregal connecting on doubles in the fourth and fifth innings respectively, while the defense around Garvey and junior relief pitcher Riley Garcia (Fullerton, Calif. / Sunny Hills) boosted the home team's late-game outlook. One such play involved left fielder Brianna MaGee (Torrance, Calif. / West Torrance) connecting on a laser to catcher Maya Palos (Montebello, Calif. / Schurr) that brought an end to the fifth inning.

Game 2: Whittier 12, Linfield 8

The second game of the day took on an entirely different tone, one the Poets made sure they would be the one to set. The Purple & Gold did just that with a six-run first inning that began with Oregel's leadoff home run, her first of the young season. From there, the Poets made the most of their opportunities, stringing together four singles before a double into left center from junior catcher Jocelyn Signoretti (La Palma, Calif. / Kennedy) cleared the bases. The third-year player's big double staked the Poets to a five-run lead after one, allowing them to cruise the rest of the way behind six runs scattered throughout the remaining five innings. It would not be long before the home team notched some more offense, with Adkison connecting on a three-run home run in the second inning that brought junior Kelly Monroy (La Puente, Calif. / Rio Hondo College) and freshman Bella Bordine (La Mesa, Calif. / Helix) all the way around. Any attempts by the Wildcats to claw their way back into contention were answered with more offense by the Poets, and when the time came to shut the door, Garcia made her second appearance of the day and shut the visitors down with two strikeouts in as many at-bats. 

Head Coach Trisha Senyo and the Poets will look to continue their impressive start to the 2022 season when they host another nationally ranked program in No. 22 Brandeis University on Thursday, Feb. 24, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

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