WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb 23, 2023) - Despite the rainy, cold conditions and a lightning delay, the Whittier Poets and visiting Brandeis Judges of Massachusetts were able to complete their doubleheader, splitting the two games. The Poets are now 4-2, hitting four home runs on the day and getting excellent pitching performances from Jamie Garvey and Bella Peinado.

GAME ONE:

One pitch into Game One, lightning delayed the contest for nearly 45 minutes. Once the game resumed, Brandeis promptly scored four runs in the first on a single that scored two and a two-run homer.

The Poets responded immediately, hitting back-to-back home runs to lead off the first inning.

Left fielder Kelly Monroy led off with a dinger to straight-away center in her only at-bat of the game, having to immediately leave for her lab. 

Next, first baseman Emily Adkison cleared the fence in right-center field for a powerful opposite field blast, cutting the Poets' deficit to two runs. 

Third baseman Marissa Flynn then walked to give the Poets three batters to reach base to begin the game, but Whittier would only have one more baserunner for the rest of the game.

The Judges scored four more times in the game, two more in the fifth and sixth innings.

Garvey was a bright spot in relief, striking out three in one and two-thirds perfect innings. The senior entered with one out and runners on second and third in the sixth inning, striking out the next two batters to get Whittier out of the jam. Then, Garvey pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.

Despite losing 8-2 in the game, Whittier played strong defense, including a strong throw by catcher Maya Palos to catch a would-be basestealer.

GAME TWO:

In Game Two, the Judges drew first blood, with a two-out RBI single through the left side opening scoring in the first.

The Poets, however, stormed back with three runs in the second inning, taking the lead for good.

Catcher Jocelyn Signoretti walloped a softball for a home run to left-center to lead off the inning.

Then, with one out in the inning, from the on-deck circle, Lucy Brooks encouraged the batter Sara Chiala to "turn on the ball."

On the very next pitch, Chiala did just that, destroying a fastball far beyond the left-field fence.

Signoretti, Wolf and Adkison each had two hits in the game and Signoretti scored twice. In the entire game, the Poets did not strike out.

As for pitching, Garvey started the game and later re-entered on the mound, earning her third win of the season. In 4 2/3 innings, she allowed just one run on three hits and struck out five.

Freshman Peinado pitched well in relief, allowing one run on one hit in 2 1/3 innings.

The Poets' next series will take place Monday, March 6 when they host Manhattanville College of New York with the doubleheader beginning at noon. Then, two days later, Whittier welcomes the Alfred University Saxons, also of New York, with the first pitch of the twinbill scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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