Box Score WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2024) – Senior outfielder
Lindsey Perry (Corona, Calif. / Santiago) continued a dominant two-game stretch by helping the Poets secure a victory over visiting John Carroll University by way of mercy rule. The Poets defeated the Blue Streaks, 11-3 in five innings.
Although Wednesday's action was originally scheduled for two games, the rain once again put a dampener on the Poets' plans, limiting the two teams to just one game.
Perry first sent junior outfielder
Sara Luna (Downey, Calif. / Downey) home on a sacrifice fly in the third inning before slapping a double through the left side that scored two more: Luna again, along with senior middle infielder
Heaven Wolf (Montebello, Calif. / Schurr). Wolf, the team's RBI leader through six games, had an impressive outing her own right, running her season average to over .500 while securing two more RBIs to become the first Poet to move her total to double-digits on the young season. She found different ways to get the job done, doubling into left center field to bring Luna successfully home, then added another base knock when she legged out a single to the pitcher's mound that scored
Olivia Butler (San Jose, Calif. / Pioneer), a late defensive sub for senior first baseman
Emily Adkison (Laguna Niguel, Calif. / Mater Dei).
Whittier opened the game on a solo home run from senior third baseman
Marissa Flynn (Covina, Calif. / South Hills), her first of the season. After that, Carroll responded with a three-run third inning, though Whittier would ultimately get the last laugh. The Poets laid 10 unanswered runs on the Blue Streaks to secure the win, making it a 2-1 stretch against teams from the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).
Other performers of note included newcomer
Lily Stell (Burbank, Calif. / Burbank), along with Luna, who drew the start in center field. Stell bagged two more hits to run her average to .389. Luna, meanwhile, scored three aforementioned runs, but also stole her team-leading fifth base of the year. She is also yet to be caught on the base paths, and should continue to be an on-base menace for Head Coach
Trisha Senyo and the Poets. Luna even took the opportunity to throw out a Carroll runner during the Blue Streaks' big third inning, helping to quell the run and set the Poets up for a huge rebound over the game's remaining moments. Sophomore pitcher
Bella Peinado (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura) earned the win, scattering nine baserunners across five innings while showing improved stuff, striking out three Carroll players.
The Poets will now turn their attention back to Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, where they will need just a split with the Sagehens to secure their first SCIAC series of the season. The first game is slated for a noon start time on Saturday, Mar. 9.
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