Offense breaks out for 6-1, 6-0 sweep of CLU

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The bats of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team were hot on Saturday as the Athenas recorded their second sweep of the 2017 season, beating Cal Lutheran 6-1 and 6-0. The Athenas (10-12, 8-4) put up crooked numbers in five innings on the day while the defense did not allow an earned run for Cal Lu (7-13, 4-8).

CMS got things started in the top of the first as sophomore Chloe Amarilla (CMC) got on with a single and then freshman Marissa Valdovinos (SC) and junior Carly Roleder (CMC) reached on walks. Junior Briana Halle (CMC) flew out to center but, as the Regals attempted to get the Athenas out on the base paths, CMS scored to take the early 2-0 lead.

CLU responded in the bottom of the frame as Courtney Sooy hit in Olivia Leyva, but that would be the last run of the entire day for the Regals as the CMS pitchers threw 13 shutout innings to finish the double header.

CMS added to its lead in the third as sophomore Ande Troutman (CMC) and Roleder led off with a pair of singles. Sophomore Abigail Metsch (SC) then came up with a big two out double to score Troutman. Senior Alexa Heydenberk (CMC) kept the rally going with a single to score Metsch from second.

The Athenas capitalized on a duo of Regal errors in the sixth for some insurance runs.

In the meantime, junior hurler Anna Gurr (CMC) continued to get outs. She scattered four hits and did not allow a walk on the day. Gurr came in for three shutout innings in the second game as well and now boasts a sub-one ERA at 0.90.

Game 1 Box Score

Game two had the appearance of a pitchers' duel as it was scoreless through four complete innings. Amarilla toed the rubber for the Athenas and successfully used her defense to allow just two hits in four innings pitched.

CMS brought seven hitters to the plate in the top of the fifth. Freshman catcher Savannah Green (CMC) got things started with a single poked out to right field. Sophomore Reeve Grobecker (CMC) got on for her first hit of the day and then the Athenas advanced into scoring position due to a sacrifice by sophomore Rachel Perley (HMC). Troutman brought home Grobecker and freshman pinch runner Hayley Giffin (CMC) for a pair of runs and then Roleder drove in Troutman to cap of the three-run inning.

Grobecker made all three assists defensively in the subsequent inning and quickly returned the Athenas to their next offensive half.

CMS loaded up the bases with a single by Metsch, junior Chloe Rodman (CMC) was hit by a pitch and then Grobecker's second single of the game. The Regals could not make the out at the plate off Amarilla's hit to shortstop so pinch runner Sarah Whitney (CMC) scored. Two more runs came across due to hits by Valdovinos and Troutman while the center fielder ended up with three RBI in the game.

Gurr closed out the game in the circle as the Athenas improve to 8-4 in SCIAC competition.

Game 2 Box Score

Next up for CMS is a home double header against Chapman University (13-9, 7-5) on Saturday, April 1 with the first pitch slated for 12 p.m.

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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