CMS Softball Battles Azusa Pacific Close in 6-3 Season-Opening Defeat

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Destiny Richards had hits in her first three collegiate at-bats, finishing 3-4, but the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team came up just short in a 6-3 defeat to Division II Azusa Pacific in its season opener on Saturday at Athena Field.

The second game of the doubleheader was called due to darkness in the bottom of the fifth inning before it became official, as Azusa Pacific held a 4-0 lead, and the Athenas had the bases loaded when it was halted. 

Garcia led off the first inning with a double, but was left stranded, and then had singles in her next two at-bats to go 3-3. She reached a fourth time on an error, which allowed the third CMS run to score in the bottom of the sixth, but the Athenas could come no closer. 

After Garcia was left stranded in the first, Azusa Pacific scored three times in the top of the second. Garcia then singled in the third, and Sophia Nguyen (1-for-1) was able to come home from third on a high throw from the Cougars. Kristin LeBlanc scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to close the lead to 6-2, and Paige Zimmerman singled with one out in the seventh to try to start a rally, but the Cougars were able to hold on. 

CMS had 10 hits in the game, as Ellie Novogradac, LeBlanc and Nguyen each had hits in their debuts. Seniors Lauren Richards and Alexa Schulten added hits, while junior Maren Summers had a pinch-hit single. 

CMS will be back in action on Friday when it takes on Vanguard for a 12 noon doubleheader.