ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team split a doubleheader, 3-1 and 4-2, in the 2023 season-opener. After dropping the first game, Jillian Kelly took a perfect game into the fifth inning to lead the Panthers to a win in the late game.

Game 1 – L, 3-1

Simi Lauwers had a solid outing in the circle but the Panthers struggled to get going offensively as they dropped the season-opener 3-1. The one run didn't come across until a pinch hit double from Christina Denlinger in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Lauwers tossed a complete game, allowing three runs on 10 hits. She struck out one batter and walked one. Emily Rosas allowed just four hits from the  Panthers and struck out eight while allowing just one run in a complete game.

The Panthers were the first to threaten with a pair of runners on in the second with less than two outs. Mo Lynch's single rolled through the left side of the field but a strong throw from Lauren Coppola cut down Morgan Lastinger at the plate.

The Warriors seemed to grab momentum from there, doubling in a run in the second when Grace Fosselman just missed completing a diving play. The Warriors plated another run in the third and an insurance run in the seventh.

Denlinger battled through her at bat in the seventh, working a full count before hitting a double in the right center gap to score pinch running Katie Carder from second.

Game 2 – W, 4-2

Denlinger put the Panthers on the board in the second game as well with a well-executed squeeze bunt in the fourth. Freshman Ella Milante's towering double to left center two batters later scored Denlinger for a 2-0 Chapman lead.

The 2-0 lead seemed to be more than enough at the time as Kelly had retired the first 12 batters of the game in order. A slow-rolling grounder in the top of the fifth broke up the perfect game with an infield hit and a pinch runner later scored on a sinking liner into center field.

Lynch responded for Chapman in the bottom half of the inning with a triple into right center to score two runs. Westcliff picked up another run in the sixth but Kelly shut the door on any potential rally, leaving the bases loaded.

A pair of strikeouts bookended a 1-2-3 seventh to secure Kelly's first win of the season. She struck out seven without issuing a walk and allowed two runs on six hits.

The Panthers are back at El Camino Real Park on Thursday to take on Pacific in a single game at 3:30 p.m.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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