Panthers battle back in Game 2 to earn split with Whittier

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University softball team battled back in Game 2 with a three-run effort in the sixth to earn the split with first-place Whittier College in a SCIAC doubleheader at El Camino Park on Saturday afternoon. Chapman fell to the Poets in Game 1 4-2, but came from behind in Game 2 to defeat Whittier 4-3.

Game 1: Whittier 4, Chapman 2

The Panthers took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning scoring a pair of runs on a two out rally when freshman Sarah Taketa singled up the middle on a blooper to centerfield knocking in juniors Lisa Perez and Amy Serven.

However the Poets battled back with back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning by seniors Mercedez Cundif and Ashlyn Canchola to put the Poets on the board and tighten the score 2-1. Whittier then tied it up when senior Alyse Gutierez ripped a ball up the middle to knock in a run and tie the game 2-2. Cundiff then doubled to left center knocking in two runs for the Poets to take the lead 4-2 in the seventh.

Trailing by two, the Panthers battled in the seventh with back-to-back singles to left field by junior Larissa Rinauro and freshman Kristen Weiser but ultimately Chapman fell short. The Panther defense was once again led by junior P Natalie Both who tossed a full seven innings and recorded ten strikeouts.  

Game 2: Chapman 4, Whittier 3

Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Panthers rallied when Rinauro singled down the left field line knocking in senior Karina Muniz to tie the game 1-1. However, the Poets reclaimed their lead in the fourth when senior Alexandra Flores knocked in two runs with a single through the five-six hole to give Whittier the 3-1 lead.

Again the Panthers battle back in the sixth when Lisa Perez singled and was drove in off a ground rule double to left by junior Gabrielle Leveratto to tighten the score 3-2. The Panthers then tied the game when Muniz hit a blooper to shallow left knocking in sophomore Amber Perez. Chapman then took the lead 4-3 when Serven knocked in the winning run on a two-out rally.

Junior freshman Madison Pahl recorded her first win of the season while sophomore Kelci Douglas earned her first career save closing out the seventh for the Panthers.

Chapman will return home to host University of Redlands on Friday, April 10 at noon before taking its next two doubleheaders on the road beginning with Occidental College on Saturday, April 11 with the first pitch set at noon.

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant 

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