Late rally not enough in split with Sagehens

CLAREMONT, Calif. – Junior Anna Gurr (CMC) earned her fourth win on the season as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team (5-5, 4-2) split with Pomona-Pitzer (5-6, 3-5) on Saturday afternoon. The Athenas took a one-run lead in the first game and then added to it for the eventual 4-2 win. In the second game of the day, the Sagehens broke out for four runs in the first inning and CMS' late rally was not enough in the 4-2 loss.

To kick off the double header, freshman Marissa Valdovinos (SC) battled through at least a 10-pitch at bat to earn a walk and to foreshadow the upcoming duel. The Athenas struck first as sophomore Abigail Metsch (SC) drilled a double to the fence in left center, leading off the second inning. Valdovinos' speed put pressure on the Sagehen defense to throw it around while Metsch came in for the 1-0 Athena lead.

After a hit batter and walk in the top of the fourth, PP replaced starter Bianca Cockrell with lefty Alondra Reynoso. CMS loaded up the bases on a Pomona-Pitzer error and then sophomore pinch hitter Chloe Amarilla (CMC) muscled a single up the middle to capitalize on the opportunity. The subsequent walk and infield single pushed two more runs across to put CMS up 4-1.

The Sagehens quickly responded with loading up the bases for themselves in the bottom of the frame. PP similarly brought in a pinch hitter in Kelsey Buchanan who became a momentary hero with a two-RBI double. The Athena defense then buckled down and with plays by sophomore second baseman Reeve Grobecker (CMC) and junior third baseman Carly Roleder (CMC).

Each pitcher scattered a few hits in the rest of the game, but the score remained at 4-2 for the CMS victory.

Game 1 Box Score

The second game of the day started off poorly for the Athenas. Two walks and a single loaded up the bases once again for the Sagehens as the CMS defense pined for outs. Freshman Erin Alexander (CMC) came in for CMS and managed to get out of the inning, but not before the Sagehens put up four runs.

Alexander settled into a rhythm and kept Pomona-Pitzer at bay for the entire rest of the game. This was her fourth appearance of the season and by far the longest at 6.0 innings pitched.

It was not until the top of the seventh that the CMS offense looked to make something happen. PP's hurler Liz Rodarte had thrown six innings and allowed just four hits so far in the game. Senior Alexa Heydenberk (CMC) drew a one-out walk and advanced around to third off a pair of errors. Valdovinos kept the Athenas alive with a well-placed single out to left to score Heydenberk and freshman Savannah Green (CMC). But CMS' rally was too little and too late as Pomona-Pitzer captured the 4-2 win.

Game 2 Box Score

CMS has a full plate this coming week as they play host to No. 4 Berry, Denison, No. 25 Ithaca and then return to SCIAC play with Whittier on Saturday. In the first matchup, Athenas play Berry on Tuesday, March 14 for a double header beginning at 12 p.m.

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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