REDLANDS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran softball battled No. 11 ranked Redlands to a pair of one-run games on the road. Despite solid pitching performances in both games the Regals were on the short end of 1-0 and 2-1 decisions to the conference leading Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
Box Score (Game 1): UR 1, CLU 0 - F
Box Score (Game 2): UR 2, CLU 1 - F
Saturday's two game set was in stark contrast to the previous meetings between these two squads. Redlands pounded out 24 runs in two games back on Feb. 11 and was averaging over nine runs per game in 14 conference contests this season heading into the day.
The Regals pitching staff held the SCIAC's leading offense to just three runs in two games. However the CLU offense was unable to cash in with run scoring hits of its own combining to go 1-for-11 in RBI opportunities and 2-for-18 with runners on base.
Redlands 1, Cal Lutheran 0 - F
In her first collegiate start Cal Lutheran pitcher Shonna Christian went the distance against the nationally ranked Bulldogs. She tossed six shutout innings before Redlands scratched across the game-winning run in the seventh courtesy of an error and two base hits in the frame.
Kayla Uphold tossed a complete game shutout in the circle holding Cal Lutheran to just four singles while striking out six batters. She helped her own cause with the walk-off single in the seventh improving her record to 12-2 this season.
Cal Lutheran missed out on a pair of early scoring chances including an opportunity to take the lead to open Saturday's action. The Regals stranded a pair of runners in scoring position with out in the first inning, and another with a runner on third and two outs in the third frame.
The lone error in the game was charged to Christianson on a comebacker to open the seventh inning. The Bulldogs advanced Arlene Martinez to third with one out setting the stage to end the game.
Redlands 2, Cal Lutheran 1 - F
The host Bulldogs scored both of their runs in the near identical fashion to take a 2-0 lead after three innings. After Kayla Uphold led off the first and third innings with first pitch base hits, Amanda Lievanos brought her home with RBI base hits.
UR starting pitcher Breanna Ruelas enjoyed a two-run cushion and was tossing a perfect game through four innings. Brittany Labbe broke up the bid with one out single in the fifth inning.
The Regals collected one hit apiece over the final three innings including a sixth inning RBI-double from Downing. Defensive miscues, walks, and hit batters provided a two-out bases loaded opportunity with the game-tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
After Labbe earned the team's first hit of the game she was unable to duplicate the effort after flying out to center field ending the threat. Cal Lutheran put two runners on base in the seventh with one out but a pair of fly outs left the runners stranded.
The Regals pitching trio of Katelyn Downing, Nicolby Atallah and Shonna Christianson scattered 12 hits, including 11 singles, through six combined innings of work. Downing went three innings and allowed two runs (one earned), while Atallah and Christianson finished off the final three innings in scoreless fashion.
Ruelas improved her record to 9-4 following her complete game victory. She allowed one unearned run off three hits and struck out four batters.
Cal Lutheran (8-22, 1-13 SCIAC) will host Occidental (3-17, 2-12 SCIAC) on Friday, April 6.
