(DEMOREST, Ga. — Jan. 15, 2023) Cal Lutheran softball kicked off the 2024 season by splitting a doubleheader, winning its first game against Birmingham-Southern but dropping the second game to Piedmont on Saturday.
GAME ONE: Regals 11, Panthers 3
Ashlyn Flinchum (1-0) was excellent in the circle, pitching a 6.0 inning complete game while allowing just three runs and the Regals (1-1) offense gave her plenty of run support.
The Panthers (2-4) scored two runs in the top of the first to jump out on top, but the Regals answered immediately with a five-spot in the bottom of the first and added four more runs in the second. Nadia Collins singled and reached to third to lead off the game and scored after Brooke DeSmet reached on an error. Jessica Waters walked, and the Regals strung together three run-scoring hits; Casey Edwards and Regan Laubscher hit back-to-back doubles and Abby Strong drove in the fifth run of the inning with a single.
In the second inning, Olivia Vargas singled to score Collins for her second run in as many innings. Waters then hit a two-run homer to break the game wide open, making it 8-2. The Regals got one more in the inning as Laubscher singled to drive in Edwards.
The Regals got two more insurance runs in the third and sixth innings. Flinchum finished with 6.0 innings, three K's, eight hits, four walks, and three earned runs.
GAME TWO: Regals 2, Lions 7
The Lions (1-1) got out ahead early after scoring five runs in the first two innings and added two more in the fourth to push their lead to 7-0. The Regals offense had chances every inning but left nine runners on base in the game.
Waters hit her second two-run homer of the double-header in the fifth inning to cut the lead to five, but the Regals couldn't push any more runs across.
Casey Edwards (0-1) started for the Regals and pitched 2.0 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on six hits. Ally Forbell came in relief and was solid in the final 4.0 innings, allowing eight hits but limiting damage, only allowing two runs.
UP NEXT
The Regals will play another double-header tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 18. They face Mount St. Joseph (1-1) in game one at 7 a.m. PST and get another crack at Piedmont in game two at 11 a.m. PST.