WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2026) – A resilient comeback and a dominant all-around effort powered the Whittier College softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Elmhurst University on Sunday afternoon at Palmer Field. Behind clutch hitting and strong performances in the circle, the Poets improved to 11-9 overall with 7-5 and 9-3 victories.

Game 1: Whittier 7, Elmhurst 5

Facing an early 5-0 deficit, Whittier wasted no time settling in and methodically chipped away before delivering a decisive sixth inning to complete the comeback victory.

The Poets got on the board in the second inning, as Olivia Butler (San Jose, Calif. / Pioneer) drove in a run on a groundout before Daniella Contreras (Buena Park, Calif. / John F. Kennedy) followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-2. In the third, Mariah Rodriguez (Barstow, Calif. / Barstow) launched a solo home run to center field, and Tiaira Richardson (Vista, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista) added an RBI single to bring Whittier within one.

After holding Elmhurst scoreless over the middle innings, Whittier broke through in the sixth. Mia Gonzales (Pico Rivera, Calif. / Schurr) delivered the game-tying RBI single, while aggressive baserunning and pressure forced defensive miscues that allowed the go-ahead and insurance runs to cross the plate.

Rodriguez led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, including her home run, while Richardson and Maya Torres (Lakewood, Calif. / Artesia) each added multi-hit efforts.

In the circle, Mariah Zapata (Apple Valley, Calif. / Granite Hills / Long Beach City College) delivered a standout relief performance, tossing six innings while allowing just two runs, none earned, on three hits. She added four strikeouts to secure her second win of the season and stabilize the game after the early deficit.

Game 2: Whittier 9, Elmhurst 3

Whittier carried that momentum into Game 2, jumping out to a fast start and never looking back in a 9-3 victory to complete the sweep.

The Poets erupted for four runs in the opening frame, highlighted by Rodriguez's second home run of the day, a two-run shot down the left field line. Lana Escarcega (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian) followed with an RBI double and later came around to score, giving Whittier early control.

Whittier continued to apply pressure throughout the game, adding key runs in the second, fifth, and sixth innings. Gonzales drove in two with a single in the fifth, while Addison Sorto (Los Gatos, Calif. / Los Gatos) and Leana Sanchez (La Puente, Calif. / Workman) each contributed RBI hits to round out the scoring.

Rodriguez capped off a huge day at the plate, finishing 5-for-7 across the doubleheader with two home runs and three RBIs. Gonzales also delivered a strong performance, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs, while Escarcega added two hits and scored twice.

Freshman Aaliyah Garcia (Ontario, Calif. / Colony) made her first collegiate start in the circle and impressed, allowing no earned runs over 2.2 innings. Bella Peinado (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura) followed with 4.1 innings of steady relief, limiting Elmhurst to just one run (unearned) to secure the win.

Head Coach Terry Schweikert and the Poets move to 11-9 overall and will return to Palmer Field on Tuesday, March 24 for a non-conference doubleheader against Williams College, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.