THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran softball team split a Wednesday doubleheader with Hamline University at Hutton Field, powering past the Pipers 8-1 in the opener before dropping a tightly contested 7-6 decision in game two.
The Regals combined for 23 hits across the two games, highlighted by a standout performance from
Riley Osborne, who recorded three hits and four RBIs in the second game while also delivering a momentum-saving defensive play in right field.
GAME ONE: CAL LUTHERAN 8, HAMLINE 1
The Regals jumped on Hamline early and never looked back, scoring eight runs over the first three innings to secure the win.
Mia Reveles set the tone in the bottom of the first with a solo home run to center field. Cal Lu continued to pressure the defense later in the inning, capitalizing on a pair of Hamline errors before
Brooke Strahm drove in another run with a single to give the Regals a 4-0 lead.
Cal Lutheran added two more runs in the second.
Olivia Oergel doubled to start the rally and later scored as the Regals again took advantage of defensive miscues to extend the lead to 6-0.
The Regals continued to build the margin in the third inning, as
Kylen Mingus scored on a fielder's choice from Strahm before Reveles delivered again with an RBI single to push the lead to 8-0.
Hamline scratched across a run in the fourth, but the Regals' pitching staff kept the Pipers quiet the rest of the way.
Oergel earned the win in the circle, allowing one run on two hits across four innings.
Ava Tepesano tossed two scoreless innings in relief before
Kalli Strahm closed the game with a scoreless seventh.
At the plate, Reveles led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while
Reyna Perez collected three hits in the victory.
GAME TWO: HAMLINE 7, CAL LUTHERAN 6
The nightcap turned into a back-and-forth battle, with the Regals rallying from an early deficit before Hamline edged ahead late.
The Pipers took control in the third inning, scoring four runs to build a 4-0 advantage.
Cal Lutheran responded immediately with a five-run rally in the bottom half.
Danielle Diaz drove in the first run with a single, and
Riley Gonzalez followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit in half.
With the bases loaded later in the inning, Osborne delivered the biggest swing of the game, ripping a double to left-center that cleared the bases and gave the Regals a 5-4 lead.
Hamline regained the lead in the fifth on a two-run triple, but Cal Lutheran answered once more in the bottom half. Osborne came through again, lining an RBI single to center field that tied the game at 6-6.
Osborne also provided a highlight defensively in the sixth inning, making a diving catch in right field to end the frame and keep the game tied.
The Pipers ultimately pushed across the decisive run in the seventh to secure the win.
Osborne paced the Regals offensively, finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Diaz added two hits and an RBI, while
Jessica Waters also recorded two hits in the game.
UP NEXT
Cal Lutheran returns to action Saturday, March 14, when the Regals host Pacific Lutheran for a doubleheader at Hutton Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m..
