Athenas Walk Off in Game One, Game Two Halted Due to Rain Against Redlands

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The weather did not stop the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team from sweeping the Redland Bulldogs on a rainy Saturday morning. The Athenas walked-off in Game One of the doubleheader for a 4-3 win and took Game Two 6-0 in a rain-shortened six-inning game.

Kawai Scanlan (SC) poked a base hit through the left side to knock in Molly Spaniac (CMC) in Game One to give the Athenas the win. The Athenas then used a four-run first inning to build their lead in Game Two, which was called in the top of the seventh due to rain.

Game One: CMS defeats Redlands 4-3

Anna Gurr (CMC) started the game on a high note, retiring the first three Bulldogs in the top of the first.

The Athenas got on the board in the bottom of the second when Maddie Valdez (CMC) singled to center to knock in Scanlan and put CMS up 1-0.

Redlands answered back in the top of the third, tying the game at one, when Shannon Skrzynski doubled to center to knock in a run. The Athenas quickly regained the lead in the home half of the inning. Reeve Grobecker (CMC), Spaniac, and Chloe Amarilla drilled three straight base hits, Amarilla's knocking in the go-ahead run to give CMS a 2-1 advantage.

The Athenas added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of free passes from the Redlands pitching staff. Carly Roleder (CMC) led the inning off with a single to right and advanced on a bunt by Briana Halle (CMC). With two on and no outs, Scanlan and Vladez drew back-to-back walks, putting CMS up 3-1.

The Bulldogs struck for two in the top of the seventh on three hits, tying the contest 3-3. Skrzynski, again, notched an RBI double to bring in two runs.

CMS wasted no time in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff double from Spaniac. A sacrifice bunt from Roleder advanced her to third before Scanlan came up with the big hit, poking a single through the five-six hole to knock in Spaniac and end the game in a 4-3 win.

Spaniac and Scanlan led the offense with two hits each and Valdez had two RBI. Gurr went the distance, earning her ninth win of the season with five strikeouts.

Game Two: CMS defeats Redlands 6-0

CMS got to work quickly in Game Two, putting up a four-spot in the bottom of the first. Amarilla legged out a two-out triple to get things started and Roleder drew a walk. Halle stepped to the plate next and ripped a single up the middle to knock in the first run of the game. Scanlan sent a rocket down the right field line, plating another run. Valdez kept the inning alive with a two-RBI single to left, giving the Athenas a 4-0 cushion after one.

Another two-out rally ensued in the bottom of the second when the Athenas tacked on another run. Spaniac tripled with a line drive into left center before a double from Amarilla knocked her in to push the advantage to 5-0.

Amarilla shut down the Bulldog's offense, not allowing a hit until the fourth inning. The runner would be erased, however, with a double play turned by Amarilla, Roleder, and Halle. The defensive gems didn't stop there. A leadoff walk in the top of the fifth was taken off the bases with another double play, this time turned by just Roleder and Halle.

Amarilla stayed hot at the plate, singling through the left side to get things going in the home half of the fifth. Halle followed with a ground-rule double to advance Amarilla to third before Scanlan singled up the middle to bring her in. This gave CMS a 6-0 lead after five innings.

Amarilla did her part both from the circle and the plate in Game Two. The junior tossed all six innings and allowed just two hits while striking out two. She also led the offense with three hits including a double and a triple. She scored two runs, knocked in one, and had a stolen base. Halle and Scanlan each had two hits in the contest and Scanlan and Valdez each brought in a pair.

Scanlan had an impressive day at the plate with four hits, three RBI, two doubles, and a triple in the twin bill.

The home stand continues on Wednesday when Occidental College comes to Claremont for a doubleheader beginning at noon.