CMS Run-Rules Whittier in Game One, Splits Doubleheader

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Two big innings at the plate gave the Athenas enough offense to run-rule Whittier College in Game One of Saturday's doubleheader. CMS scored three in the first and six in the fourth for a 9-0 final in five innings. Molly Spaniac (CMC), Chloe Amarilla (CMC), and Kawai Scanlan (SC) all collected two hits and Amarilla and Carly Roleder (CMC) each knocked in two. The Poets quieted the Athenas' offense in Game Two and forced extra innings before defeating CMS 2-1 in eight innings.

Game One – CMS defeats Whittier 9-0 (5 innings)

The first and fourth innings were all CMS as the Athenas put up three and six, respectively. Anna Gurr (CMC) kept the Poets quiet throughout the game, earning her third shutout of the season.

Spaniac and Amarilla got the ball rolling with back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the first, with Amarilla knocking in Spaniac for the game's first run. Roleder drew a walk and Briana Halle (CMC) reached on a fielder's choice before both stole and Roleder scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Scanlan crushed a ball to the right field fence and legged out an RBI triple to put CMS ahead 3-0.

The Athenas kept the Poets off the board, allowing just four hits in the game and making big defensive stops.

Scanlan stayed hot with a single through the right-side with one out in the home half of the fourth. Maddie Valdez (CMC) and Jessica Fox (CMC) notched back-to-back singles to load the bases. Rachel Perley (HMC) brought in a run with a sacrifice fly to center and misplays from the Poet defense allowed Valdez to score on an error. Back-to-back base knocks from Spaniac and Amarilla kept the inning going and Roleder capped off the scoring with a bases clearing triple to give CMS a 9-0 advantage.

Gurr sat Whittier down in order in the top of the fifth, to end the game early on the run-rule.

Spaniac, Amarilla, and Scanlan led the offense with two hits each. Gurr earned her third win of the year.

Game Two – Whittier defeats CMS 2-1 (8 innings)

Amarilla had a solid outing for CMS in the circle, with the only blemish on her day coming in the second inning when a leadoff walk came around to score on a single from Brittany Attaway.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Kylie Hetzel (HMC) led off the inning with a base hit up the middle. Reeve Grobecker (CMC) moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and Spaniac put her on third with her single. In a well-executed double-steal, Spaniac took second, drawing a throw and allowing Hetzel to steal home and tie the ballgame 1-1.

Gurr took over in the circle in the top of the seventh and both teams were unable to score in the inning, forcing extras.

In the top of the eighth, two-straight hits for Whittier put them back on top 2-1, and the Athenas could not answer back in the bottom of the frame, falling 2-1.

After the doubleheader split, CMS moves to 2-2 in SCIAC play and 4-2 overall.

The Athenas are back on the field on Saturday, Feb. 24 on the road against Chapman. The doubleheader is slated to begin at noon.