THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran softball knocked down No. 22 Chapman University on Friday afternoon, courtesy of Danielle Diaz who had the walk-off hit in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The win brings the Regals to 18-10 overall and 9-6 in conference play. They now sit alone at third place in the SCIAC standings with just two weekends remaining before the conference tournament.

The Panthers struck first in the matchup as a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt got runners on second and third. A mishap on the Cal Lu defense brought home both, but it wasn't anything the Regals couldn't recover from.

Jessica Waters came up big in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game with a two-run blast over the left field wall.

The sophomore leads the team and the SCIAC with nine homeruns on the year, which ties for fifth in the CLU single-season records. She is also ranked third all-time with 17 career four-baggers.

Both teams went scoreless in the seventh to send the game into extras. Reyna Perez led off the bottom of the eighth with a triple to left, followed by a questionable pair of intentional walks given to Brooke DeSmet and Olivia Vargas. 

Diaz, arguably the most lethal hitter in the conference, was next to step into the box with bases loaded for the Regals. She blistered a ball to third base to score Perez and clinch the walk-off victory.

Ashlyn Flinchum (7-3) went the distance for Cal Lu, throwing all eight innings and securing the win. She allowed just four hits while striking out five Panthers in the complete game.

The Regals are back at it tomorrow, finishing the series with a doubleheader in Orange. First pitch is set for Saturday at 12 PM.