Teammates celebrate a run scored.
Photo by Larry Newman

Softball swept in twinbill by Pomona-Pitzer

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team fell 10-9 and 15-6 to Pomona-Pitzer in a SCIAC doubleheader. Junior Michaela Foisy had a hit in both games and has now been on base in 21 straight games.

Game 1 – L, 10-9

A back and forth affair ended with Pomona-Pitzer coming from behind in the seventh to end the Panthers' winning streak. For the second time in three games against Pomona-Pitzer, the Panthers led after six innings but couldn't hold on for the win.

Sophomore Mykala Tokunaga had a four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the first, to lead the offensive charge in the early game. He first-inning blast put the Panthers up 3-2. He singled in another run as part of a five-run third to put Chapman up 6-4.

After Tokunaga's homer, both teams went silently in the second. The Sagehens rallied for a pair of runs in the third to regain a 4-3 lead. Senior Samantha Whalen quickly seized back the lead for the home team with a two-run double into the left center gap. Foisy had led off the inning with a triple. Tokunaga followed with a run-scoring single. Junior Kyra Gallego stroked an RBI-double into the gap and scored when senior Elizabeth Runge beat out an infield single.

After Olivia Campion closed the gap for the Sagehens to 8-7 with a three-run double in the fourth, Tokunaga came around to score on an error for an insurance run. The Panthers took a 9-7 lead into the seventh.

A one-out walk prompted a pitching change to Tokunaga to close the door. After another walk, she induced a ground ball for out No. 2. The Sagehens then hit back-to-back-to-back run-scoring singles to take a 10-9 lead, which they held in the bottom half for the win.

The top half of the order went 9-for-17 for the Panthers, led by three hits apiece from Tokunaga and Whalen.

Game 2 – L, 15-6 (6 inns.)

After falling behind 6-0, the Panthers chipped their way back into the game only to have a huge sixth inning end the game early. Pomona-Pitzer sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs to prompt the run-rule victory.

Four Panthers had two hits, including another multi-hit game for Whalen. Foisy also had a pair of hits as did junior Sarah Sumida and junior Samantha Tong. Tong drove in three runs to help fuel the near comeback.

After falling behind 6-0 in the first two frames, Tong tripled in a run in the bottom of the second to put Chapman on the board. In the third, Sumida singled in a run and Tong doubled in two more. Whalen followed in the fourth with an RBI-single to make it 6-5. After Whalen's single and steal of second, the Panthers had the go-ahead run in scoring position but back-to-back ground outs ended the threat.

The Sagehens ended any thoughts of a comeback with their eight-run sixth inning.

The Panthers continue the season-ending homestand next week with the final four games of the regular season. Chapman hosts La Verne on Friday at 2 p.m. before finishing off the regular season with a noon doubleheader against Redlands.

Chapman remains in third place in the standings despite the two losses. With one win on Friday, the Panthers can clinch a spot in the SCIAC Tournament.

 

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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