THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - In a scheduled Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) makeup game, the Cal Lutheran softball team stumbled late and fell 7-5 to Chapman on a windy Wednesday at Hutton Field.
In the top of the first inning, the Panthers capitalized on a leadoff double, a walk and a single to load the bases before taking an early 1-0 lead on an infield groundout.
The Regals were quick to respond after loading the bases themselves in the bottom of the first and tied the game 1-1 on an RBI single from Amanda Lewis. Courtney Sooy led off with a walk and Christina Hunter stroked a single through the left side to get things going. After a textbook sacrifice bunt from Olivia Leyva and a walk to Blake Lewis to load the bases, A. Lewis singled to center to score Sooy and tie the game.
In the bottom of the third inning the Violet and Gold looked to widen their lead after Leyva walked and Hunter, who reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second. With two outs, A. Lewis hit a high pop-up in the infield that landed for a base hit after strong winds made it difficult to catch. Hunter hustled home from second base on the play to break the tie and Liz Mertel followed with a two-RBI single center to score Leyva and A. Lewis. Hannah Brown proceeded with a double to left field to drive in Mertel, but was called out on a controversial call after sliding into third base.
The Regals took a 5-1 advantage heading into the fourth, but Chapman responded with a big five-run inning. An early error and four walks, including two with the bases loaded, proved costly for CLU during the frame and the Panthers took the lead 6-5.
Chapman added an insurance run after four hits in the seventh inning to take a 7-5 lead, and starting pitcher Natalie Both (9-9) struck out the side to end the game.
A. Lewis led the Regals at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance and two RBIs while Hunter, Sooy, Mertel and Brown all finished 1-for-3.
The Regals (16-16, 12-10 SCIAC) will travel to Occidental for a doubleheader this Friday, Apr. 17 starting at 2:00 p.m.
Box Score: CU 7, CLU 5
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