CLAREMONT, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2024) – Junior pitching tandem
Kiley Kraft (Alhambra, Calif. / Ramona Convent Secondary School | Pasadena City College) and
Daryanna Ductoc (Alhambra, Calif. / Ramona Convent Secondary School | Los Angeles Mission) pitched well enough to give the Poets a chance to win against a tough Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges team on the road, but the Poets ran into some tough pitching from the Athenas in the first this weekend's three-game SCIAC series.
Kraft got the starting nod and responded by holding the Athenas to eight hits over four and one-third innings. She did not walk a single batter, and only one of her two runs were earned. She managed to keep the home team grounded, for the most part, with eight of her 13 outs coming on the ground before giving way to Ductoc midway through the fifth. The junior struck out one CMS player while allowing nary a hit, let alone any runs or free passes, opening the door ever so slightly for the Poets to put a late run together.
Whittier looked to be doing just that in the top fifth. Senior shortstop
Heaven Wolf (Montebello, Calif. / Schurr | Rio Hondo College), one of the Purple & Gold's top run producers this season, made it happen by singling into right field to score the visitors' most efficient hitter of the day, sophomore
Lucy Brooks (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian), who operated out of the designated player spot. Brooks went 2-for-3 at the dish with both of her hits coming on singles into right field. However, the host Athenas were able to successfully employ some damage control of their own, cutting Whittier's late run at the legs while ultimately holding on for the win.
Junior catcher
Maya Palos (Monterey Park, Calif. / Schurr) also had a notable day for Whittier, picking up a hit in the opening inning while adding a walk. However, her contributions extended beyond the batter's box, as she was able to successfully catch a CMS runner trying to steal third base in the fifth inning to extend the chances of victory for her side.
Head Coach
Trisha Senyo and the Poets will next host the Athenas for a Saturday doubleheader, which is set to get underway at Palmer Field beginning at noon.
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