REDLANDS, Calif. — Softball opened the SCIAC tournament with a convincing 9-0 victory over the Claremont-M-S Athenas in five innings on Friday, May 10. With the win, the Panthers move on to the SCIAC semi-finals tomorrow, where they will take on Redlands.

Morgan Lastinger and Grace Fosselman had impressive performances at the plate, driving in seven runs on four combined hits. Lastinger's two-out, two-run single in the first salvaged a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the first inning.

In the second, Fosselman started the five-run inning with a bunt single. An errand throw on the play brought home two runs. Later in the inning, Jordan Westerfield singled home Fosselman, and Lastinger threw the big blow, a two-RBI double to left. 

Fosselman tallied two more RBI in the third on a double of her own, bringing home the Panthers' eighth and ninth runs.

Rose Malen was dominant in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout in the postseason opener. She allowed just six hits and struck out three. She surrendered only one walk.

The Panthers continue the SCIAC tournament tomorrow in Redlands against the No. 1 seeded Bulldogs. Their game will follow the elimination game between Claremont-M-S and Cal Lutheran, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m.