Athenas advance to SCIAC Championship game with 10-1 win over La Verne

LA VERNE, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team finds itself in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship game against La Verne for the second time in as many years. After the 10-1 victory over the Leos today, the Athenas emerged as the only undefeated team in this season's SCIAC Tournament. La Verne beat Whittier in the subsequent game 8-0 to stay alive in the tournament.

The Athenas started off aggressive with sophomore Reeve Grobecker (CMC) smacking a single out to shallow left center. After a walk to freshman Marissa Valdovinos (SC), CMS first got on the board due to a single up the middle by sophomore Chloe Amarilla (CMC) to score Grobecker. Junior Carly Roleder (CMC) loaded up the bases with a single and then ULV's pitcher walked in the next run for the 2-0 CMS advantage with just one out.

After a pitching change the Athenas exchanged an out for another run and then freshman Alison Jue (CMC) knocked in the final run of the inning with an infield single. CMS started the game solidly in the driver's seat with the 4-0 lead after the top of the first.

The Athenas added another two runs in the second inning by capitalizing on an error by the shortstop.

The top of the third saw more fielding woes for the La Verne infield. CMS loaded up the bases with another hit by Grobecker and the Troutman hit up the middle just far enough that the second baseman was not able to make a play at the plate, scoring pinch runner Sarah Whitney (CMC). The inning ended on a long fly ball by Amarilla that had the propensity to get out of the park, but ultimately was caught at the warning track by the ULV's left fielder.

Gurr staved off the Leos in the bottom of the third after two runners got on base from an Athena error and a single up the middle by Alexis Schiff. She got herself out of the jam making a play on a sharp comebacker from Sienna Kendricks for the third out.

The Athenas continued to pressure the defense with their aggressive at bats and base running. Sophomore Rachel Perley (HMC) drew a two-out walk in the fourth and Grobecker took the shortstop into the 5-6 hole but was unable to come up with the ball cleanly as sophomore Abigail Metsch (SC) scored.

In the bottom of the fourth, juniors Carly Roleder (CMC) and Briana Halle (CMC) both made plays on line drives for the first and third outs. After four complete innings, CMS held the 8-1 lead.

La Verne brought in yet another pitcher in the top of the sixth, but it was not until the top of the seventh that CMS got a hit off her. Yesterday's hero, sophomore Ande Troutman (CMC) led off with a walk and the spotlight shifted to Roleder. For just the second time this season, Roleder launched one deep over the centerfield fence. The two-run homer put the Athenas up by nine runs, effectively insurmountable so late in the game.

Gurr completed the game for her 16^th win on the year and allowed just the one run.

Tomorrow, CMS faces La Verne again in the SCIAC Tournament Championship game at 12 p.m. at the Campus West Softball Field.

Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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