WHITTIER, Calif. (Apr. 4, 2026) – Behind dominant pitching and a relentless offensive outburst, the Whittier College softball team secured its first SCIAC series victory of the season with a doubleheader sweep over Occidental College on Saturday at Palmer Field. The Poets shut out the Tigers in both contests, marking the program's first doubleheader shutout since 2015.
Game 1: Whittier 1, Occidental 0
In a tightly contested pitcher's duel, senior left-hander Bella Peinado (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura) delivered one of the most impressive outings of the season, tossing a complete game shutout to lead Whittier to a 1-0 victory.
The game's lone run came in the bottom of the first inning, sparked by Daniella Contreras (Buena Park, Calif. / John F. Kennedy), who worked a walk and stole second to move into scoring position. Mariah Rodriguez (Barstow, Calif. / Barstow) followed with a clutch double to right center, bringing home Contreras for what would stand as the game-winning run.
Peinado took control from there, scattering seven hits across seven innings while allowing just one walk. The senior faced steady pressure but consistently worked out of trouble, aided by two key double plays from the Whittier defense.
Across the weekend, Peinado was nearly untouchable against the Tigers, totaling 10 scoreless innings between Friday and Saturday.
Game 2: Whittier 16, Occidental 0 (5 innings)
Whittier's offense erupted in Game 2, plating 13 runs across the first two innings to cruise to a 16-0 mercy-rule victory and complete the series win.
The Poets wasted no time setting the tone, scoring six runs in the opening frame, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Mia Gonzales (Pico Rivera, Calif. / Schurr). Whittier continued to apply pressure in the second, adding seven more runs behind timely hitting and disciplined plate appearances that drew multiple walks and hit-by-pitches.
Gonzales led the way with her first career four-RBI game, while Kelly Nutter (Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon / Cal State San Marcos) reached base four times and drove in two runs. Rodriguez added to her standout day with two more hits, including a double, while Contreras contributed with a hit, two runs scored, and an RBI.
In the circle, sophomore Maya Torres (Lakewood, Calif. / Artesia) was equally dominant, tossing a complete game three-hit shutout, her first career shutout, while striking out two and inducing consistent weak contact.
With the pair of shutouts, Whittier's pitching staff combined to allow just 10 hits and no runs across 12 innings of play.
Head Coach Terry Schweikert and the Poets improve to 15-13 overall and 3-6 in SCIAC play. Whittier will return to Palmer Field on Friday, April 10, opening a conference series against the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens with first pitch set for 3 p.m.
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