Dominant pitching leads Panthers to doubleheader sweep of Sagehens
ORANGE, Calif. – The first-place Chapman University softball team rode the arms of Cassie Oregel and Natalie Both to a sweep in Sunday's doubleheader versus Pomona-Pitzer at El Camino Real Park. Freshman Both followed up her first career save in the first game with her fourth complete game of the season in the afternoon matchup as the Panthers improved their record to 12-2 with a 9-1 mark in the SCIAC.
Game 1: Chapman 2, Pomona-Pitzer 0
Rhianna Stepler-Camp drove in two runs with a pair of doubles, supporting starter Oregel who tossed six shutout innings versus the Sagehens, allowing three hits while walking two and striking out one.
After Oregel put the first two runners on in the seventh, head coach Janet Lloyd called on Both, who shut down the Sagehens leaving both runners stranded to record her first save of the season and secure the win for Oregel (5-1).
Jenny Richards, who had a game-high three hits including a leadoff triple, made the biggest impact with her glove. With a one-run Panther lead in the fifth, Richards made a diving catch in shallow center to rob Ashley Morello of an RBI-single.
Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2012-13/boxscores/20130310_ohld.xml
Game 2: Chapman 4, Pomona-Pitzer 1
Picking up where she left off, Both started the second game and allowed just one baserunner through the first three innings while striking out four.
The Panthers would strike first, as Brittany Furlong connected for a two-out single in the third inning to drive in Richards. The Sagehens would respond in the top half of the fourth as Caitlyn Hyde doubled off the top of the left field wall to drive in Leah Bleichner with the tying run.
The Bleichner run would be the only blemish for Both on the day as she threw a combined eight innings, allowing just one run on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts
With the score tied in the fifth, the Panthers broke out with a three-run inning highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of first baseman Stephanie Engle.
With a comfortable three-run lead, Both went on to finish the game in convincing fashion, striking out two batters in the seventh inning. The freshman's fourth career complete game marked her sixth straight win to open her collegiate career.
Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2012-13/boxscores/20130310_fl0e.xml
The Panthers will get right back on the diamond on Monday for a doubleheader versus visiting Stevens Institute (NJ) at El Camino Real Park. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.
by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant
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