Skip To Main Content

Whittier College

Whittier College Softball vs. The University of Redlands 3/27/2026
Tony@actionwestphotography.com
11
Winner Cal Lutheran CAL LUTH 14-18
5
Whittier WHITTIER 19-16
Winner
Cal Lutheran CAL LUTH
14-18
11
Final
5
Whittier WHITTIER
19-16
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Cal Lutheran CAL LUTH 0 0 0 4 1 0 6 11 11 1
Whittier WHITTIER 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 5 11 2

W: Kalli Strahm (6-5) L: Zapata, Mariah (4-6)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball Rallies Behind Nutter, Torres in Cal Lutheran Opener

Whittier records 11 hits and builds early lead as Peinado limits damage in solid outing

WHITTIER, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2026) – The Whittier College Softball team opened its SCIAC series against California Lutheran with a strong early showing at the plate, but a late push from the Regals proved to be the difference in an 11-5 decision on Friday afternoon at Palmer Field.

The Poets wasted no time jumping out in front, plating three runs in the first inning behind timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. Kelly Nutter (Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon / Cal State San Marcos) got things started with an RBI double to center, before Maya Torres (Lakewood, Calif. / Artesia) followed with an RBI single. Lana Escarcega (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian) capped the inning with a run-scoring fielder's choice to give Whittier an early 3-0 advantage.

Cal Lutheran responded in the fourth inning, but the Poets answered right back as Daniella Contreras (Buena Park, Calif. / John F. Kennedy) delivered an RBI single to trim the deficit to one. Whittier continued to stay within striking distance in the fifth, tying the game at 5-5 after Torres drove in her second run of the afternoon.

Nutter and Torres led the offensive effort, each reaching base three times. Nutter finished with two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Torres added a pair of hits and two RBIs. Contreras and Tiaira Richardson (Vista, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista) also contributed multi-hit performances as the Poets totaled 11 hits on the day.

In the circle, Bella Peinado (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura) delivered another steady outing, allowing just one earned run across five innings while limiting damage and keeping Whittier in position to compete. The senior has now allowed one earned run or fewer in four of her last five appearances, continuing her strong stretch in conference play.

Despite the late surge from the Regals, the Poets showed offensive consistency and early-game execution that will carry into the remainder of the series.

Head Coach Terry Schweikert and the Poets move to 19-16 overall and 7-9 in SCIAC play. Whittier will head to Thousand Oaks on Saturday, April 25 for a noon doubleheader to continue the series against California Lutheran.

Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!

Print Friendly Version