ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team rebounded from a lopsided defeat in Game 1 of a SCIAC doubleheader against visiting University of Redlands to earn a much-needed split in Game 2 on Friday afternoon at El Camino Real. The Panthers dropped the first game 20-5 before salvaging the final game with a 5-2 win. Redlands took three of four in the season series with Chapman.

Game 1: Redlands 20, Chapman 5

Redlands (16-18 overall, 10-12 SCIAC) snapped a 4-4 tie in the fourth inning with a 10-run inning and then added six more in the fifth inning to take any drama out of the game. The Bulldogs smashed 24 hits, including five doubles and a triple off all four Panther pitchers who made an appearance.

Offensively for Chapman, senior IF Taylor Cartwright belted her first home run of the year to lead off the third inning and tie the score a 4-4, a solo shot off the top of the centerfield fence. Junior C Lisa Perez singled, doubled and scored a run for the Panthers.

Game 2: Chapman 5, Redlands 2

Chapman (10-13 overall, 7-10 SCIAC) put their short-term memories to work, and got back in the win column thanks to a complete-game, six-hit pitching performance by junior RHP Natalie Both. The junior earned her seventh win of the season (7-8) with five strikeouts and allowed just one earned run.

Trailing 1-0, the Panthers rallied for two in the third inning and tacked on three more in the fourth to provide all the offense. Sophomore IF Amber Perez singled in Chapman's first run of the game followed by a sacrifice fly by Lisa Perez in the third. Cartwright again delivered a big hit in the fourth with a two-out, two-run double to cap the three-run inning.

Freshman DP Sarah Taketa sparked the Chapman offense from the leadoff spot, reaching base in all four plate appearances with two singles, two walks and two runs scored.

The Panthers travel to Occidental College on Saturday for another SCIAC doubleheader beginning at noon. Chapman remains two games back of a playoff spot in sixth place in the conference standings with 11 games to play.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

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