Walk-off and shutout wins for sweep of Pomona-Pitzer

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team earned the sweep of Sixth Street rivals, Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday afternoon in two gutsy wins, 2-1 and 2-0. Saturday's wins maintained the Athenas' standing in second place with four games remaining in the regular season. Freshman pitcher Anna Gurr (CMC) held opposing batters to just a .121 average in 9.1 innings pitched.

Game 1: CMS 2, Pomona-Pitzer 1 – Box Score

The first game was scoreless through three innings although CMS had runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded.

The Athenas loaded up the bases again in the fourth as the Sagehens' pitcher lost some composure and gave up three walks. Junior shortstop Tara Robinson (CMC) drew the fourth walk of the inning and forced in a run to put the Athenas on the board.

Pomona-Pitzer tied up the game in the top of the sixth, capitalizing on CMS' only error of the day.

CMS went to work in the bottom of the frame. Junior Shannon O'Neill (CMC) beat out a bunt single to lead off the inning and advanced into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt by junior third baseman Mikayla O'Neal (CMC). Unfortunately O'Neill was stranded on second and the game remained tied going into the seventh inning.

Gurr buckled down and got the Athenas three quick outs to get back on offense.

The Athenas' spark plug, Robinson led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single and quickly stole second base. Sophomore center fielder Alexa Heydenberk (CMC) came up with a clutch single up the middle and head coach Betsy Hipple wheeled Robinson around third base to slide across the plate for the walk-off win. This is the Athenas' first walk-off victory of the season.

Gurr pitched the complete game and earned her tenth win on the season, eighth in SCIAC. In seven innings pitched she struck out two and gave up no walks. The only run allowed in the 2-1 victory was unearned.

Game 2: CMS 2, Pomona-Pitzer 0 – Box Score

CMS came right back in the second game and put up two runs in the first inning. Heydenberk picked up her second RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly to score Robinson. Freshman right fielder Carly Roleder (CMC) singled up the middle to drive in junior first baseman Katie Savard (CMC) for the second run.

Ultimately, the score was not indicative of action and intensity of the game.

CMS had a runner on third base three more times during the game and Pomona-Pitzer repeatedly was able to make plays and get out of the innings.

The Sagehens loaded up the bases in the fifth inning and pressured the Athena defense. Junior Molly Rubidoux (CMC) came in to relieve sophomore Andrea Jewett (CMC). A Pomona-Pitzer player tried to score on a wild pitch but junior catcher Carlene Roberts (CMC) chased it down and tossed a strike to Rubidoux for the out at the plate.

Gurr was asked to toe the rubber once more to help the Athenas out of the jam. She forced a strikeout to end the fifth inning and then pitched two additional innings without giving up a hit and striking out three overall. This was Gurr's first save of the season.

In the double header, freshman Briana Halle (CMC) hit .667 followed by freshman Elaine Wang (CMC) and Robinson, both at .429.

CMS is now 22-10 overall and 16-8 in SCIAC, sitting in second place behind Whittier at 17-7. The Athenas host Chapman on Friday, April 24 at 2 and 4 p.m. and then travel to La Verne on Saturday for the final games of the regular season.

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