Big innings for final regular season games and sweep of Oxy on Senior Day

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team swept Occidental in the final double header of the regular season on a blustery Saturday afternoon. Before the game, head coach Betsy Hipple honored the six graduating seniors: Shannon O'Neill (CMC), Carlene Roberts (CMC), Tara Robinson (CMC), Molly Rubidoux (CMC), Katie Savard (CMC) and Janelle Shiozaki (CMC). During their careers, the seniors have overall record of 123-50-1 so far.

At a 24-4 in SCIAC play, the Athenas earn the No. 2 seed for the conference post season tournament next week hosted by No. 1 seed La Verne. CMS will play No. 3 Redlands on Friday, May 6.

In game one, CMS amassed 11 hits and scored eight runs. This is the 18^th game that the Athenas had double-digit hits and 18^th shutout on the year.

CMS scored seven of its eight runs in the third inning as 13 batters stepped to the plate. In the inning, Robinson had two hits and scored the first run when Savard tripled down the right field line to break open the game. Two pitching changes by the Tigers later, freshman Abigail Metsch (SCR) singled through the 5-6 hole with bases loaded to score Roberts and take the 5-0 lead. Freshman Rachel Perley (HMC) came in for a pinch hit RBI with a long sacrifice fly and then Robinson earned her 18^th RBI of the year with a single past the shortstop.

After another pitching change in the same inning, sophomore Carly Roleder (CMC) smacked a ball right back at the pitcher, hard enough to take her glove with it toward the shortstop.

CMS pitcher Anna Gurr (CMC) and her defense retired the first nine batters she faced before allowing the first hit in the fourth inning. Only two Tigers would reach first base safely as Gurr threw a one-hitter and just walked one through five innings of work. Savard recorded 11 of the 15 outs in the game at first base as no outfielder made a catch during the game.

The Athenas wrapped up the top of the fifth inning with a suave double play by Roleder who made the first out on her own and then tossed across to Savard at first for the final out.

Savard got her second hit and third RBI of the game on a walk-off double in the bottom of the fifth to give CMS the 8-0 advantage.

Game two proved to be a tighter contest as Occidental struck first, scoring in the top half of the third inning on hitting pitcher Alexis Funaki's sacrifice fly with bases loaded. CMS starter, O'Neill forced Oxy to strand two runners as the next batter flew out to left to end the inning.

The most successful Tiger hitter was Carley Roberts' sister freshman Cora Roberts who was 2-for-3 in game two with a double and a single.

Once again, the Athenas scored the majority of their runs in one inning, this time waiting until the fifth. Speedsters O'Neill and Robinson got on with bunt singles and then Savard came through again for CMS. In the last two days, she recorded seven of the team's 11 RBI.

Gurr came in for the save, her fourth on the season and the Athenas recorded the sweep of Occidental.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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