THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran softball's offense came alive on Friday afternoon, as the Regals rallied late to take game one before erupting early in game two to complete a doubleheader sweep over Elmhurst at Hutton Field.
With the pair of wins, Cal Lu improves to 10-15 overall and closes out non-conference play on a high note heading into the final stretch of SCIAC action.
GAME ONE: CAL LUTHERAN 9, ELMHURST 6
The Regals showed resilience in the opener, overcoming an early three-run deficit with a clutch late-game surge.
The Bluejays struck quickly in the first inning, plating three runs on a string of hits to take immediate control, but CLU answered right away as
Jessica Waters launched a two-run home run in the bottom half to cut the deficit to one.
After Elmhurst added another run in the fourth, the Regals chipped away in the fifth. RBI hits from
Sofia Aviles and
Kate Brandeberry tied the game at 4-4 and set the stage for late-inning drama.
The Bluejays briefly regained the lead with two runs in the sixth, but Cal Lu responded again in the bottom half.
Danielle Diaz delivered a two-run single to even the score before Waters followed with an RBI knock to give the Regals their first lead of the day.
Moments later, Brandeberry delivered the knockout blow with a two-run double to right center, capping a five-run inning and sealing the 9-6 comeback victory.
Waters and Brandeberry powered the offense, each finishing with multi-hit, multi-RBI performances, while
Brooke Strahm added three hits.
Kalli Strahm earned the win in relief, tossing 4.1 innings, and
Ava Torre closed the door to secure the save.
GAME TWO: CAL LUTHERAN 12, ELMHURST 4 (6 INN.)
The bats stayed hot in game two as Cal Lutheran wasted no time taking control.
The Regals erupted for six runs in the first inning, stringing together timely hits from throughout the lineup.
Reyna Perez,
Riley Osborne, Aviles, and B. Strahm all contributed RBIs as CLU built a commanding early lead.
Elmhurst answered with three runs in the second and added another in the fifth, but the Regals pitching staff limited further damage while the offense regrouped.
After a quiet stretch through the middle innings, Cal Lu broke the game open again in the fifth. A two-run sequence set the table before Perez delivered the biggest swing of the day with a three-RBI, bases clearing double to extend the lead to 10-4.
The Regals added another run later in the inning and walked it off in the sixth via the run rule, as
Mia Reveles drove in the final run.
Perez led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, while Reveles tallied three hits and multiple runs scored. B. Strahm remained perfect at the plate with three hits, and the lineup combined for 17 hits in the win.
Olivia Oergel picked up the victory in relief, allowing just one run over three innings of work.
UP NEXT
The Regals return to SCIAC play on Friday, April 3, traveling to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for a 3 p.m. first pitch. The series continues at home on Saturday, April 4, as Cal Lu hosts the Athenas for a doubleheader on Alumni Appreciation Day.
