WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2026) – Sophomore Maya Torres (Lakewood, Calif. / Artesia) and senior Bella Peinado (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura) each delivered complete-game performances in the circle while freshman catcher Addison Sorto (Los Gatos, Calif. / Los Gatos) provided the clutch swing of the day as the Whittier College softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader from the University of Minnesota, Morris on Monday afternoon at Palmer Field.
The Poets collected a 6-2 victory in Game 1 before pulling away late in Game 2 for a 5-2 win, extending their recent momentum with six victories in their last seven games.
Game 1: Whittier 6, Minnesota-Morris 2
Whittier's offense capitalized on timely hitting in the opener, plating five of its six runs with two outs to take control of the contest early.
The Poets struck first in the second inning as Daniella Contreras (Buena Park, Calif. / John F. Kennedy) opened the scoring with an RBI double to right field that brought home Laila Pulachet (Norwalk, Calif. / Bravo / Hawaii Pacific University). Mariah Rodriguez (Barstow, Calif. / Barstow) followed with an RBI double of her own before Mia Gonzales (Pico Rivera, Calif. / Schurr) added another run-scoring single to give the Purple & Gold a quick 3-0 lead.
Whittier continued to apply pressure in the third inning. Lana Escarcega (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian) reached on a bunt single that allowed pinch-runner Leana Sanchez (La Puente, Calif. / Workman) to score, and the Poets added another run moments later after Contreras reached on an error. Escarcega later delivered again in the sixth inning with an RBI triple to right center to extend the lead.
Contreras and Escarcega each collected two hits to pace the offense, while Pulachet reached base three times and finished with two hits of her own.
In the circle, Torres delivered a standout performance, tossing her first complete game of the season and just the second of her career. The sophomore allowed only one earned run across seven innings while striking out four and keeping the Cougars off balance throughout the afternoon.
Game 2: Whittier 5, Minnesota-Morris 2
The second game proved to be a tightly contested battle until the Poets delivered a decisive rally in the sixth inning.
After Minnesota-Morris tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth, Whittier loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Addie Sorto stepped to the plate and delivered the biggest swing of the day, driving a bases-clearing double to center field to give the Poets a three-run advantage.
Sorto's clutch extra-base hit marked the first of her collegiate career and proved to be the difference in the game.
Pulachet continued her strong day at the plate by finishing the doubleheader 3-for-4 with a walk, while Kelly Nutter (Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon / Cal State San Marcos) added two hits and showcased highlight-reel defense at second base. Rodriguez also contributed two hits as the Poets once again collected nine hits as a team.
Peinado was equally impressive in the circle, tossing her second complete game of the season while striking out a career-high six batters. The senior allowed just one earned run and has now picked up back-to-back victories while allowing only one earned run across her last two starts.
With the sweep, Head Coach Terry Schweikert and the Poets improve to 9-7 overall and remain 1-2 in SCIAC play. Whittier will return to Palmer Field on Saturday, March 21 beginning at 12 p.m. for a non-conference doubleheader against Linfield University.
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