Carly Roleder (Photo by Mitchell Allan)
Carly Roleder (Photo by Mitchell Allan)

Second consecutive softball sweep

CLAREMONT, Calif. – For the second time in as many Saturdays, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team earned a sweep of a SCIAC opponent and maintained second place standing in the conference. CMS (12-12, 10-4) won both games against Chapman (13-11, 7-7) to the tune of 4-2. The Athenas out-hit the Panthers 15-7 while junior Anna Gurr (CMC) struck out 11 in nine innings pitched.

CMS wasted no time in the first game and came out aggressive in the first inning. Sophomore Ande Troutman (CMC) got in from an infield error and then classmate Chloe Amarilla (CMC) tallied her first hit of her very successful day at the plate. Junior Briana Halle (CMC) hit in both runners on a two-out triple down the right field line that bounced favorably away from the field of play.

By the time the bottom of the third rolled around, Gurr had already waved five CU batters as Chapman had yet to get a runner on base. The third inning played out very similarly to the first; two runners got on and into scoring position and were poised for two-out heroics from the middle of the Athenas' lineup. Sophomore Abigail Metsch (SC) knocked in Troutman and then Halle was able to score from first as well due to the left fielder misplaying the ball.

It was not until the sixth inning that Chapman broke its drought and got a runner not only on base, but into scoring position. The Panthers capitalized on a pair of Athena errors and Elizabeth Runge brought in Christine Lo Verde to ruin the potential shutout.

Chapman tacked on one more run in the top of the seventh as Amber Perez drove in Samantha Tong with a gapped triple to right center. Gurr finished up the game by using the defense on the left side of the infield for a pop up and lineout to record her ninth win of the season.

Game 1 Box Score

Amarilla toed the rubber in game two for the Athenas and was quickly tested. Chapman loaded the bases with a pair of singles by Michaela Foisy and Kristen Weiser and then a walk. Amarilla battled a tight strike zone and the patient Panthers walked in for two runs and the early lead.

CMS quickly retaliated with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. Troutman and Amarilla got on with singles and then Troutman scored on an errant throw by the CU second baseman trying to turn a double play. The Athenas went station to station as Halle and Metsch were good for singles to right field, loading the bases. CMS' second run came from senior Alexa Heydenberk (CMC) getting hit by a pitch to bring in junior Carly Roleder (CMC).

Amarilla and Chapman's ace, Samantha Whalen, both settled into the middle of the game and collectively threw three shutout innings

CMS' hitting pitcher led off the bottom of the fifth with her third hit of the day and then scored from second by a single to left by Metsch. With the narrow one-run lead, the Athenas re-entered Gurr in the circle to close out the game.

An insurance run was added in the sixth as sophomore Reeve Grobecker (CMC) put pressure on the defense and legged out an infield single. Freshman Marissa Valdovinos (SC) then got on from a shortstop error. A fielder's choice later, Valdovinos scored when Amarilla smacked yet another single out to center.

Game 2 Box Score

Defensively, Troutman in center field made plays on five balls during the day, one of which required some nifty footwork on a line drive straight over her head. The outfield battled the strong but variable winds all day. Heydenberk expertly judged a ball caught in the gust and eventually laid out for the catch early in the second game. Troutman and Valdovinos exhibited excellent communication on a line drive to the right center gap, ultimately caught by the right fielder on the run.

The Athenas host Redlands (10-6, 6-8) next Saturday, April 8 to begin the second half of SCIAC play.

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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