ORANGE, Calif. – Late inning rallies highlighted both ends of a doubleheader sweep for the Chapman University softball team on Saturday. The Panthers defeated visiting Lewis & Clark 8-5 and 10-2 in a rematch between two teams that met in last year's NCAA Regional.
Aleena Helms led the Panthers at the plate, going 5-for-7 with three doubles and five RBIs in the doubleheader. Brooke Wiegand also drove in three RBIs.
GAME 1 – W, 8-5
It took five innings for the Panthers to scrape anything together offensively but the flood gates swung open in the sixth as the Panthers rallied for seven runs in the 8-5 victory. A 3-1 deficit turned into an 8-3 lead as the bats came to life all at once.
Wiegand delivered the big blow in sixth that gave Chapman a 4-3 lead. With the bases loaded and two outs, Wiegand drove a single just under the diving first baseman to score two runs and give Chapman its first lead. The only hit of the day provided the spark Chapman needed as the Panthers continued to move the line and add to the lead.
Chapman reloaded the bases after Wiegand's hit and Shea Higa followed with another two-RBI single to add to the lead. Helms then doubled into right for two more runs to come home before she was caught between second and third to end the inning.
Chapman scored eight runs on 12 hits in the game with nine of those hits coming in the fifth and sixth innings.
Anabell Hinojosa did all she could in the circle to pick up her third win of the season. Lewis & Clark plated three early runs but she settled in to strike out seven and keep the River Otters off the board until the seventh inning.
Lewis & Clark fought back to score a pair of runs in the seventh with two outs. Head coach Janet Lloyd called on Cameron Burroughs to close out the game. Her first pitch was grounded to third for the final out as she picked up the one-pitch save.
Game 2 – W, 10-2
Chapman again rallied late, scoring five in the fifth to seal the run-rule victory. Rose Malen picked up the win, scattering eight hits and allowing two runs (one earned).
Helms' second double of the day opened the scoring in game two as a pair of runs scampered home when she dropped a double inside the right field line in the third innings.
She doubled again in the fourth to bring in another run and make it 5-0. Lewis & Clark pick up a pair of runs in the fifth but the Panthers answered with a five-run rally to clinch the run-rule. It was Wiegand in the big spot once more as she came up to the plate with the bases loaded and the Panthers leading 9-2.
She worked a long at bat into a full count and fouled off several pitches to stay alive in the box. Finally, ball four sailed outside and the Panthers clinched the victory.
Chapman is back at El Camino Real Park tomorrow at 9 a.m. to take on Chicage. The Panthers will face Bridgewater College later in the day to wrap up the busy weekend.
