Tara Robinson (Photo by Connor Ortman)
Tara Robinson (Photo by Connor Ortman)

Softball completes weekend sweep with shutout wins over Sagehens

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team out-scored Pomona-Pitzer 12-0 on the day for the 5-0 and 7-0 sweep of the cross-campus rivals. The Athenas (10-3-1, 9-1 SCIAC) maintain their first place status in the conference standings with the four-win weekend.

The CMS bats came alive with five extra-base hits on the day including a homerun in each game. Freshman Abigail Metsch (SCR) turned on a fast ball in the first inning of game one, lifting it high over the left field fence to give the Athenas their first three runs of the afternoon. In game two, senior Tara Robinson (CMC) touched all bases after a hit to right center for an inside the park homer. This was Robinson's second inside the park homerun in her career.

After the first inning, CMS only scored one more run in game one. Sophomore Briana Halle (CMC) stayed hot, leading off the bottom of the fourth inning with a seemingly effortless single. Freshman speedster Victoria Huynh (CMC) entered the game to run the bases and successfully stole second and scored on an infield single by senior Shannon O'Neill (CMC).

Sophomore Anna Gurr (CMC) was in fine form, fanning six and scattering four hits in seven scoreless innings. Gurr and senior Molly Rubidoux (CMC) sit at the top of the conference each boasting a sub-2.0 ERA. As a team, CMS has a 2.08 ERA overall, 1.92 ERA in conference.

Rubidoux forced ground outs throughout the second game, feeding the left side of the infield. Sophomore shortstop Carly Roleder (CMC) made two outs and assisted on six while Metsch had two assists in the game. Senior first baseman Katie Savard (CMC) made it look easy with 24 putouts on the day.

Junior Alexa Heydenberk (CMC) came through with another pinch hit blast for the Athenas in the second game, this time with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to drive in two runs.

For the Sagehens, Liz Rodarte led with three hits of Pomona-Pitzer's nine total on the day. In the circle, Bianca Cockrell pitched the majority of both games and struck out six Athenas in game one.

CMS next travels to Columbus, Ga. for the NFCA's Leadoff Classic Mar. 11-13. The Athenas will face Kean (1-1, No. 16), Birmingham Southern (9-2) and Virginia Wesleyan (5-1, No. 7) in pool play and then continue with bracket play Mar. 12-13.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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