THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran softball team clinched its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament appearance, since its inception in 2008, with a doubleheader split against first place Whittier at Hutton Field on Senior Day. The Regals took game one 4-2 before getting edged 7-4 in the nightcap.
Donning the Violet and Gold at home for the final time were seniors Kaity Carter, Shonna Christianson, Christina Hunter, Liz Mertel and Ryanna Morua, who were recognized at the conclusion of the games for their contributions to the CLU softball program over the years. Cal Lutheran also hosted its Strike Out Cancer game where Annalise Fischer, the beneficiary of funds collected throughout the week, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Game one turned into a pitcher's duel between Courtney Sooy and Poets ace Samantha Blum, who threw a perfect game last week against Occidental.
The Regals, however, were unfazed and jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first inning. Sooy helped her own cause with a leadoff single, followed by a walk to Hunter and a single from Olivia Leyva to load the bases. Blake Lewis and Amanda Lewis each grounded out to first base, but Sooy and Hunter were able to score on the plays to give CLU the early advantage.
The Violet and Gold tacked on another run in the bottom of the second inning after Hannah Brown led off with a double to left and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Morua. Scooter Rapisardi proceeded to lineout to first base, but a throwing error from the Poets first basemen allowed Brown to race home and extend the lead to 3-0.
Whittier broke through with their first hit of the game in the fourth inning and added two runs to make it close, but Leyva responded with an RBI double in the fifth inning to give CLU its final 4-2 lead.
Sooy (11-11) was dominant in the circle once again, racking up a season-high nine strikeouts after allowing just three hits and two earned runs in her 17th complete game of the season.
Blum (19-5) was charged with the loss after she tossed six innings and allowed six hits, a walk and three earned runs.
Game two featured much more offensive production and the teams were deadlocked 4-4 after the third inning.
After the Poets took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, CLU responded with a three-run inning in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs and Brown standing on second base, Morua came through with an RBI single followed by an RBI double from Rapisardi. Christianson came up to the plate and hit an infield single and Rapisardi scored on the play after a Whittier error.
Leyva doubled in the third inning and was eventually brought home on a sacrifice fly from A. Lewis, but the Poets strung together their third straight two-run inning in the fourth and added another in the seventh to take a 7-4 lead.
The Regals made it interesting after they loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning, but could not overcome the deficit and fell in game two to settle for the split.
Leyva led CLU at the plate with a combined 4-for-5 performance and Rapisardi came through with two hits on the day.
Cal Lutheran (18-18, 14-12 SCIAC) will travel to Chapman for the final games of the regular season tomorrow, Apr. 25 starting at 12:00 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 4, WC 2
Box Score: WC 7, CLU 4
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