More shutouts for Athenas in sweep of Whittier

[Watch Coach Hipple's Postgame Interview Here]

CLAREMONT, Calif. – In the second to last weekend of regular season play, the No. 7 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team swept defending SCIAC champions, Whittier, 3-0 and 9-0 (5 innings). These are the 15th and 16th shutouts of the year for the Athenas as they maintain first place in conference.

Four pitchers combined for the shutouts highlighted by sophomore Anna Gurr (CMC) throwing six innings and only allowing one hit. Sophomore Briana Halle (CMC) relieved Gurr for the save in game one and did not allow a baserunner and struck out one. In the second game, senior Shannon O'Neill (CMC) earned her second start and second win of the season. Freshman Chloe Amarilla (CMC) backed up O'Neill, holding Whittier in the top of the fifth to secure the 9-0 five-inning victory.

The CMS defense made a handful of excellent plays ensuring Gurr's one-hitter. In the top of the first, sophomore shortstop Carly Roleder (CMC) made a diving catch on a liner to end the inning. Two innings later, senior center fielder Tara Robinson (CMC) made the third out sliding in to catch a shallow pop. In the sixth, CMS retired the meat of Whittier's order with two big plays: right fielder O'Neill went back into right center to catch a deep fly by Mari Ahern and then Roleder made a play on a grounder up the middle on catcher Natalia Sanchez to end the inning.

Offensively, senior Katie Savard (CMC) tallied the Athenas' only RBI of the game on a single to center scoring freshman Victoria Huynh (CMC). Huynh had led off the inning with a triple to left center. All six of the Athenas' hits were by different batters in game one.

The second game started where the first one left off, as the first three Poets were retired in order by O'Neill

CMS got on the board in the first inning with back-to-back singles from the table setters Huynh and Robinson. Both baserunners scored on a double by Halle to right field.

The Athenas put together a five-run second inning to break open the game and take a 7-0 lead. Freshmen Abigail Metsch (SCR) and Reeve Grobecker (CMC) and O'Neill all got on with infield singles and then Huynh got the first RBI. With the bases loaded, Halle and then Roleder had back-to-back two-RBI hits.

Halle was 3-for-3 with five RBI in game two while Robinson and Huynh each had three hits on the day.

Tomorrow, CMS defends its first place standing in a single game against La Verne to make up a rainout from earlier in the month; first pitch at 1 p.m.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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