ORANGE, Calif. – For the fifth year in a row, the Chapman University softball team will be playing for a SCIAC Tournament title. The Panthers fell to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the winner's bracket game but defeated top-seeded Redlands 7-5 in the elimination game to advance to Championship Sunday.

A five-run fifth boosted CMS to a 7-0 victory in the early game and sent Chapman into an elimination game against Redlands. The two programs had previously played for the last four championships.

A back-and-forth game saw three lead changes before the Panthers came out victorious. Redlands two-run first was answered with a three-run bottom of the first for Chapman. Mo Lynch punctuated the inning with a two-RBI double off the wall in right center.

Rose Malen picked up the win in the circle and cruised through the next few innings, including a three-pitch third inning to keep Chapman in front. However, Redlands answered in the fourth with a pair of runs to reclaim a 4-3 lead.

It didn't last long with the Panthers hitting all the way through the lineup in the bottom of the fourth to take the 7-4 lead. Ilianna Serna drew a four-pitch bases loaded walk to give Chapman the lead. Jojo Westerfield followed with an RBI-single and Morgan Lastinger drove in another run to pad the lead.

Malen gave up a solo homer in the sixth but finished out the game for her 14th win of the season.

Chapman will face CMS tomorrow at noon but must win twice to win the SCIAC Tournament title.