ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader this afternoon against Pomona-Pitzer (19-6-1, 10-3-1 SCIAC). The Panthers (13-11, 6-6 SCIAC) tallied double-digit hits in the first game, including a pair of triples from sophomore Michaela Foisy and junior Elizabeth Runge.

Game 1, L 4-6

Chapman went up early after a first-pitch triple from lead-off hitter Foisy. After sophomore Sarah Sumida lined out, senior Kristen Weiser doubled to left center, scoring Foisy. Runge stepped up to the plate next, hitting another triple, this time to right field. Weiser scored from second and the Panthers took a two-run lead.

Senior pitcher Sarah Taketa went three up, three down in the second and only allowed one hit in the third to keep the lead for Chapman heading into the fourth. The Sagehens caught fire in the top of the fourth inning, scoring all six of their runs in just one inning. A single from senior Natalie Ireland brought in two runs, followed by an error that scored one. Sophomore Olivia Campion stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and doubled to deep left field, scoring all three runners and giving Pomona-Pitzer a 6-2 lead.

Chapman answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth when Foisy singled to right center and scored sophomore Kyra Gallego to cut the deficit to three runs. Sophomore reliever Sarah Hartmann retired the side in the top of the fifth to put the Panthers back on the attack. With Sumida on second and two outs, junior Hope Ballard singled to left field, adding another run to Chapman's line score. A fly out ended the inning, followed by two scoreless innings to give the Sagehens the victory.

Game 2, L 0-1

It was a pitcher's duel between Taketa and Sagehen junior Liz Rodarte through the first five innings of game two. Both pitchers retired the sides in the first inning, followed by a second inning that only saw one hit from each team. Rodarte went three up, three down on just four pitches in the bottom of the fourth, followed by a 1-2-3 inning from Taketa in the top of the fifth.

It wasn't until the top of the sixth that Pomona-Pitzer was able to capitalize and score a run. With runners on second and third and one out, sophomore Izzy Deatherage doubled to left center, scoring a run and giving the Sagehens the 1-0 lead.

Hartmann came in to relieve Taketa in the bottom of the sixth, allowing one hit with a strikeout. Rodarte tallied five strikeouts and two hits in the winning effort.

The Panthers head out on the road for the next two weeks but return to El Camino Real Park on Saturday, April 14 at 12 p.m. for a SCIAC doubleheader against Whittier.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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