Solomon's Grand Slam Helps CMS Softball to 11-3 Win in SCIAC Opener

LA VERNE, Calif. – Jacqueline Solomon hit a grand slam to key a nine-run third inning as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team opened a three-game series with La Verne with an 11-3 road win on Friday.

With the win, CMS now stands at 8-4 on the year with four straight wins, and opens up league play 1-0. La Verne slips to 6-12 overall and 1-3 in league play with the loss.

The score was tied 1-1 going into the third, when the Athenas exploded for a nine-run inning. Giselle Lai was 2-for-2 with two RBI in the inning, leading things off with a single. Ellie Novogradac broke a 1-1 tie with a bases-loaded walk, and Solomon followed with a long drive over the left-field fence to put CMS ahead 6-1.

CMS kept going with the bases empty, as Emma Suh re-started the offense with a bunt single. After two walks, Lai hit a two-run single to make the score 8-1. Sarah Loper tacked on an RBI single, and Lai came home on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 10-1.

Sapirstein was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI, making her 9-for-10 in her last four games, and 7-for-7 in her last three. Lai ended the game 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Suh and Kaili Aqui were each 2-for-3. Hannah Adams went the distance to get the win in the circle for the Athenas.

The teams will finish their three-game series on Sunday at 12 noon. CMS is scheduled to play Williams in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday in between, weather permitting.