Early leads slip for Chapman against Redlands

ORANGE, Calif. – Sophomore Sarah Taketa and freshman Elizabeth Runge served as offensive bright spots for the Chapman University softball team in a pair of losses to University of Redlands on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers dropped game one 6-3 and game two 6-5 at El Camino Real Park.

Game 1: Redlands 6, Chapman 3  

The Chapman offense came out hot in the first inning racking up three doubles and a triple to score a pair of runs and take the lead 2-0. Runge sparked the rally with a double in her leadoff at bat.

Trailing 4-2 in the second inning Redlands responded quickly stringing together four runs off of six hits to take the lead 4-2. The Bulldogs then lifted their lead in the fifth when senior Dani Santos hit a two-run homer over the left field fence to extend Redlands lead to three.

Despite giving up four runs in the second, the Panthers continued to battle adding a run back in the fourth when Runge knocked in senior Gabrielle Leveratto to tighten the score 4-3.

Chapman ultimately fell short leaving nine runners on base despite matching Redlands hit-for-hit in game one.

Game 2: Redlands 6, Chapman 3

In game two Chapman was quick to score again posting an early two runs to take the lead 2-0, however once again Redlands answered right back posting two runs in the third to tie the game up 2-2.

Tied 2-2, the Panthers took back the lead scoring two runs in the third and another in the fourth to edge Redlands 5-3. Trailing once again, the Bulldogs muscled up to post a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth on a triple to deep center by Shannon Skrzynski to earn the sweep over Chapman.

Taketa finished the day 4-for-5 for the Panthers, including a triple in game one of the doubleheader. Runge continued to impress on offense collecting five hits on the day including three doubles.

Meanwhile, senior RHP Natalie Both fell to 2-4 on the season pitching a full seven innings in both games for Chapman.

The Panthers will return to El Camino Real Park Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader against Linfield beginning at 3 p.m.   

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

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