CMS Softball Edges Occidental 3-2 to Stretch Win Streak to Eight

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Delanie Stevens and Rachel Sapirstein had back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in the bottom of the fifth as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team came back from a 2-1 deficit to earn a 3-2 win over Occidental on Thursday afternoon at Athena Field.

The win was the eighth in a row for the Athenas, who move to 12-4 overall and 3-0 in the SCIAC. Occidental slips to 5-14 overall and 0-4 in the league. 

The Tigers had visions of an upset win after scoring twice in the top of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Sophia Nguyen led off the bottom half with an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice from Kaili Aqui. After Nguyen moved to third on a fly ball to center for the second out, Stevens singled back to the circle to bring home Nguyen with the tying run. 

Stevens moved to second on a wild pitch, which proved to be key, as Sapirstein hit a pitch back up the middle for the go-ahead run. Hannah Adams then came on in relief and retired the final six batters in order for the save, in support of Jade Johnson, who started and went five innings for the win. 

CMS used its speed to score the first run in the third inning as well, as Aqui laid down a perfect bunt along the third-base line and then stole second. Giselle Lai moved her to third with a productive ground out to third, and Stevens was able to bring her home on a ground out to second. 

CMS will be back in action tomorrow when it hosts No. 3 Linfield for a 12 p.m. doubleheader before finishing the Occidental series with a road doubleheader. That twinbill is scheduled for Saturday, but will likely be postponed due to rain.