Homer by Metsch gives Athenas first win in split with Vanguard

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team came back to win the second game of the home-opening double header against Vanguard University on a sunny Saturday afternoon. CMS dropped the first game 11-4 and then rallied in the sixth inning of game two to win 2-1 off a two-run blast by freshman Abigail Metsch (SCR).

In the six runs that CMS scored on the day, Metsch accounted for three RBI including a sacrifice fly in the first game. The Athenas amassed 14 hits over the two games, heavily weighted toward the first.

In the game one, the Athenas and Lions were in a deadlock through three innings before CMS strung together a pair of singles, and then senior Katie Savard (CMC) scored on a long fly from Metsch. Sophomore Briana Halle (CMC) came in for a pinch hit and squarely knocked a single into center field, driving in senior Carlene Roberts (CMC) and putting the Athenas up 2-0 in the fourth inning.

Vanguard punched back in the top of the fifth, totaling nine hits and capitalizing on a few CMS miscues on defense. Kaitlin Estes had three RBI on a triple down the right field line and ended up with four in the game.

In the middle of Vanguard's big inning in the fifth, senior Molly Rubidoux (CMC) came in to relieve sophomore starter, Anna Gurr (CMC). Gurr returned to the circle in the second game and wound up with 10 and a third innings pitched on the day. In those innings, she struck out three and only walked one.

Senior Tara Robinson (CMC) was still batting 1.000 on the season after her third at bat in game one, leading the Athenas' off with a double. Junior Alexa Heydenberk (CMC) earned her first hit on the season and both runners ultimately crossed home plate to make the score 7-4 in the Lions' favor.

In the sixth and seventh innings, Vanguard stretched out their lead to seven runs, a margin that ultimately was insurmountable.

In the second game, each team only tallied three hits. Roberts smacked a triple to lead off the bottom of the fifth but was stranded. Robinson hit a one out single in the bottom of the sixth, conveniently on base for Metsch's homer to earn CMS the win in game two.

Seniors Roberts, Robinson and Savard all had multi-hit days at the plate while also playing flawless defense. In addition to the strikeouts, Gurr added five assists, deftly defying the Lions' small ball.

Vanguard's Taylor Doyle pitched the entirety of the second game and struck out five Athenas while Alexandra Olvera and Emily Russell split the first game, allowing for 11 CMS hits.

The Athenas next open up SCIAC play traveling to Chapman on Friday, Feb. 12 to play under the lights with game times at 3 and 5 p.m. The following day, CMS returns home to face non-conference opponent, Pacific University at 12 and 2 p.m.

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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