ORANGE, Calif. — Cal Lutheran Softball started 2021 with an extra-inning barnburner as the Regals defeated Chapman 5-1 in nine innings.

Freshman Emily Blank supplied the game-winning runs that put the Regals up for good. She connected on a triple in the top of the ninth as the Purple and Gold went up 3-1. CLU added two more runs in the inning for the finishing touches.

 Senior pitchers Meghan Henry and Sienna Perez combined for one run on nine hits. Sophomore Ariana Mendoza supplied the early run as she connected on a homerun in the first game of the season. 

Henry got the start and went 3.1 innings, giving up six hits and one earned run. Perez took over from there. She earned the win after 5.2 innings pitched, while giving up just three hits. 

In the first two innings, the team's combined to leave nine runners on base. The Panthers left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, and the Regals did so in the top of the second.

The Purple and Gold broke through in the top of the third as Mendoza connected on a homerun to left field. 

After Chapman tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, Perez took over for Henry on the mound. That was all Chapman could do in the inning as Perez got the next two batters out. 

The game remained tied all the way to the top of the ninth. With runners on first and second, and zero outs, Blank tripled, giving CLU the 3-1 lead. Genevieve Avalos and Megan Dillon scored the runs.

Sophomore Mia Onesto was the next batter up and lifted a sacrifice fly out to center, scoring Blank, as the lead increased. That brought sophomore Madison Gunn came to the plate, and she doubled, but ran to third after a throwing error. She stole home on a wild pitch as Cal Lutheran pushed its lead to 5-1. 

Perez finished off the Panthers as she sat the batters down for a 1-2-3 inning. 

Blank and Ashley Membrere led the Regals with two hits each. Getting their first collegiate action was Ally Macapagal, Jamie Bingaman, Membrere, Blank and Regan Laubscher.

The Regals only play SCIAC competition this year, between Chapman and Redlands. The series against Chapman continues tomorrow as Cal Lutheran host two games at Hutton field. The doubleheader, which will be live streamed, starts at 12 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 5, CU 1 (9 inns.)
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director