WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2025) – Seniors
Kiley Kraft (Alhambra, Calif. / Ramona / Convent Secondary School Pasadena City College) and
Maya Palos (Montebello, Calif. / Schurr) of the Whittier College softball team powered their side to a split with No. 12 Williams College over Friday's thrilling doubleheader at Palmer Field.
Game 1: No. 12 Williams 7, Whittier 1
Whittier ultimately fell to its opponents from New England in Game 1, but did an incredible job for the game's first five innings of keeping the Ephs' offense at bay with excellent defense and timely pitching. Senior starter Kraft turned in a quality start, holding an explosive Williams offense to just six hits over six innings to go with just three earned runs while striking out too. When the Ephs were able to make contact, Kraft received excellent defense from the likes of seniors
Arianna Salazar (San Diego, Calif. / Clairemont / University of Saint Katherine | San Diego Mesa College) at shortstop and
Sara Luna (Downey, Calif. / Downey) in center field among others.
Eventually, the Ephs found their power stroke out in left field. Still, Whittier were able to answer with some late offense. Sophomore corner outfielder
Daniella Contreras (Buena Park, Calif. / John F. Kennedy) delivered one of her best barrels of the season, cracking an RBI double into left center that scored senior first baseman
Sydney Verlin (Moscow, Idaho / Moscow / University of Saint Katherine | Folsom Lake College).
The Poets' rally would ultimately fall short in Game 1. That would not be the case in Game 2.
Game 2: Whittier 7, No. 12 Williams 6
The second game of Friday's doubleheader played out in the inverse manner to Game 1. Williams once again found its power stroke, but this time earlier in the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead before the Poets were able to counter punch in the fourth inning. That counter punch came in the form of a haymaker delivered by Palos -- a towering shot over the left center field fence that served to wake the Poets' offense up. Even still, Whittier's next runs would be keyed by Palos when she singled to bring senior second baseman
Kelly Nutter (Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon / Cal State San Marcos | Palomar College) home, halving the Williams lead.
By the time the sixth inning rolled around, Williams increased its lead to three runs following a timely RBI double. That would not stop the Poets, however, from taking advantage of some sloppy defense from the Ephs en route to a five-run sixth inning that put them out in front heading into a do-or-die top seventh. Senior third baseman
Alyssa Bolden (Santee, Calif. / Grossmont / University of Saint Katherine) opened the inning with a walk, and would score all the way from first base following a Verlin double on the ensuing at-bat. Verlin, Contreras, freshman
Mariah Rodriguez (Barstow, Calif. / Barstow) and sophomore
Anna Rivas (Porterville, Calif. / Monache / University of Saint Katherine) would all score during this inning to put their side up two runs.
Senior pitcher
Olivia Nunez (Placentia, Calif. / Valencia / Fullerton College), who entered the game in relief, limited the damage over five innings of work before giving way to Kraft in a save situation. After delivering a quality starting pitching performance in Game 1, Kraft followed up by completing the two-out save in game two for her third of the season. In doing so, the Poets earned their best win of the season not only in terms of the quality of opponent, but for showing once again they are not a team to be counted out -- regardless of score or level of competition.
Head Coach
Terry Schweikert and the Poets will return to action for another doubleheader on Sunday, Mar. 30 when they host St. Olaf College out of Minnesota.
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