ORANGE, Calif. – Cal Lutheran softball ran into a tough test on Saturday afternoon, falling in both games of the SCIAC-opening doubleheader at No. 23 Chapman by scores of 8-0 and 5-0.

A few costly innings proved to be the difference, as the Panthers capitalized on timely hits and defensive miscues to take control in each contest.

GAME ONE: No. 23 CHAPMAN 8, CAL LUTHERAN 0 (6 INN.)
The opener was scoreless through three and a half innings before Chapman broke through in the fourth. The Panthers strung together three hits and took advantage of an error to plate four runs, then added three more in the fifth and one in the sixth to secure the run-rule victory.

The Regals were limited to one hit, a fifth-inning single by Reyna Perez. Mia Reveles reached after being hit by a pitch in the first and stole second to create early momentum, but Cal Lu was unable to convert.

Ally Forbell went 4.1 innings in the circle, allowing six hits and seven runs with four strikeouts. Mia Cortez tossed the final inning in relief.

GAME TWO: No. 23 CHAPMAN 5, CAL LUTHERAN 0
The Panthers did their damage early in game two, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first behind a pair of RBI doubles and a two-run single. From there, Kalli Strahm settled in and kept Chapman off the board the rest of the way.

Strahm went the distance, scattering nine hits over six innings with just one walk.

Offensively, the Regals tallied four hits, with Reveles leading the way with two singles and Jessica Waters and Perez adding base knocks. CLU put runners in scoring position in the first and fourth innings but could not break through as Chapman's starter struck out 12.

UP NEXT
Cal Lutheran will look to regroup and close out the series as the Panthers travel to Thousand Oaks for the finale on Sunday, February 15. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.