Another rally highlights Panthers' first sweep of the year

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University softball team rallied from a 6-3 deficit to beat visiting Whittier College with another walkoff win 7-6 in Game 1 and then used a pair of big innings in Game 2 to complete the sweep with an 8-3 win on Thursday evening at El Camino Real Park.

Whittier had entered the doubleheader on a six-game winning streak and averaging 9.5 runs per game. However, it was the Chapman offense that posted 15 runs and 21 hits to halt the Poets and give the Panthers' their first three-game winning streak of the year.

Game 1: Chapman 7, Whittier 6
For the third time in four games, freshman IF Kyla Javier came up with a hit that either tied or won the game for the Panthers in their final at-bat. Javier's RBI single with no outs in the bottom of the seventh was her second walkoff hit of the year and gave Chapman a 7-6 come-from-behind win.

Whittier scored four times in the third inning to chase Chapman starter senior RHP Ally Waffle and give the Poets a 6-3 lead. But the Panthers scored two of their own in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by senior IF Melanie Villarroel. Chapman then tied the game in the fourth thanks to a one-out triple by freshman OF Kerry Peterson and RBI double by sophomore IF Courtney James to pull the Panthers even at 6-6.

Freshman RHP Sarah Solis silenced Whittier over the final four innings, retiring 13 of the final 14 batters she faced to earn her second victory of the season.

Villarroel finished with two hits and three RBI. Five Panthers had two hits apiece including senior IF Dani Brown who doubled and drove in a pair. Chapman had a season-high 12 hits in the game.

Game 2: Chapman 8, Whittier 3
The Chapman offense remained hot to start Game 2, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as James, Brown and freshman IF Alicia Tate all had RBI singles.

Leading 3-1 in the fourth, the Panthers scored four more to extend their advantage. Sophomore OF C.C. Daly doubled in a run and scored on an RBI single by Peterson. Villarroel and sophomore OF Jojo Wakabayashi also singled and scored runs in the inning.

Solis and senior RHP Vanessa Goncalves combined to keep Whittier's potent offense at bay. The duo scattered nine hits and allowed just two earned runs while striking out five. Goncalves tossed the final five innings to earn her first victory of the year.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscores:
Game 1: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2009-10/stats/wc-cu1.htm
Game 2: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2009-10/stats/wc-cu2.htm