THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – After a tough start to the day, Cal Lutheran softball flipped the script in emphatic fashion, splitting Wednesday's non-conference doubleheader against Williams College at Hutton Field.

The Regals dropped game one 7-1 before erupting for a dominant 10-2, five-inning run-rule victory in the nightcap to move to 8-15 overall.

GAME ONE: WILLIAMS 7, CAL LUTHERAN 1
Cal Lu ran into a buzzsaw in the opener, as Williams pitcher Sadie Leonard delivered a dominant complete-game performance, striking out 13 and limiting the Regals to just four hits.

Williams struck early with a run in the first and added another in the fifth, but the game remained within reach until a decisive seventh inning. The Ephs broke things open with five runs in the frame, highlighted by a three-run home run from Justine Dunaway.

The Regals struggled to find their rhythm against Leonard, as Samantha Swerdloff, Reyna Perez, Kalli Strahm, and Kate Brandeberry accounted for the team's handful of hits. 

Cal Lutheran's lone run came in the seventh inning, as Brandeberry drove in Riley Gonzalez with an RBI single to avoid the shutout.

GAME TWO: CAL LUTHERAN 10, WILLIAMS 2 (5 INN.)
The Regals responded in a big way in game two, shaking off an early deficit and exploding offensively to secure a run-rule win.

Williams once again jumped ahead with two runs in the first, but this time Cal Lu answered immediately. The Regals plated three runs in the second inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Mia Reveles and Danielle Diaz to take their first lead of the day.

CLU kept the pressure on in the third, as Strahm delivered an RBI single before Reveles broke the game open with a two-run triple down the right field line, extending the lead to 6-2.

The Regals continued to pile on in the fourth, using aggressive baserunning and capitalizing on Williams miscues to score three more runs. Elisabeth Marks and Evie Horton each stole home during the inning, while Sofia Aviles came around on an error.

Jessica Waters capped the scoring in the fifth with an RBI double to center, sealing the 10-2 run-rule victory.

Reveles led the offensive surge, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Brooke Strahm added a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Diaz also contributed two hits and two RBI in the win.

Olivia Oergel earned the victory in the circle, allowing just one earned run over five innings while scattering seven hits.

UP NEXT
Cal Lutheran returns to action on Friday, March 27, hosting Elmhurst University for another home doubleheader beginning at noon.