WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2024) – The Whittier College softball team took on a tough York College of Pennsylvania team in Tuesday afternoon's true home opener. The Poets technically opened at home against Brandeis University last week and picked up a win, though the game would be held at the University of La Verne due to inclement weather.
Instead, the Poets drew York for their home opener, and did well to keep the visitors' bats at bay for the majority of the game. Sophomore
Bella Peinado (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura) drew the start, and did well to limit the damage throughout the majority of the outing. She even had a nice stretch between the second and fourth innings where she registered all three of her strikeouts for the game. However, the Spartans came alive in the fifth inning, taking advantage of the few opportunities afforded to them to mount enough offense to secure the win. Freshman
Olivia Nunez (Placentia, Calif. / Valencia High School) relieved Peinado just prior to the sixth inning, striking out two of the nine batters she faced for the game.
Offensively, Whittier's best moments came early. The Poets looked poised for a big opening inning after a hard-hit ball to right field by junior catcher
Maya Palos (Monterey Park, Calif. / Schurr) brought leadoff hitter
Heaven Wolf (Montebello, Calif. / Schurr) home from first base. Wolf initially reached base on a walk to open the game, while middle infield teammate
Kelly Nutter (Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon) also walked later in the inning. Collectively, Whittier also did well with making consistent contact throughout the game. In 24 at-bats, the Poets struck on just one occasion, and showed there could be upside for bigger offensive days with better luck.
Head Coach
Trisha Senyo and the Poets will now gear up for their first SCIAC series of the season. They will head to Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Friday, Mar. 1 at 2 p.m., then host the Sagehens (weather dependent) on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
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