Softball splits at Sun West behind Solis' 10 strikeouts

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team put a loss with an unusual ending behind it and came back to defeat St. Mary’s University (Minn.) 4-2 to earn a Saturday split at the Sun West Tournament at Hart Park. The Panthers dropped Game 1 to Cal State San Marcos 7-3 in a contest shortened to five innings due to a pair of dysfunctional light towers. Freshman RHP Sarah Solis took over in Game 2 with 10 strikeouts in the win over St. Mary’s.

Game 1: Cal State San Marcos 7, Chapman 3 (5 inn.)
The Panthers jumped all over San Marcos with three runs in the first inning, thanks to an RBI double by freshman OF Kerry Peterson and a two-run home run from senior IF Dani Brown. However, that was all they’d get, despite having a leadoff batter reach in every inning but the fifth.

The Cougars roared back for five runs in the third inning, chasing Chapman starter, senior RHP Ally Waffle (4-2) who lost for just the second time this season. San Marcos scored twice more in the fifth before the game was called due to darkness.

Game 2: Chapman 4, St. Mary’s 2
A change of scenery proved the right medicine for the Panthers’ bats as Chapman (10-8) and St. Mary’s moved their game to a different, well-lit Hart Park field for the nightcap. The Panthers out-hit the Cardinals 10-3 and collected four extra-base hits in the game.

Solis (4-4) was solid in the circle, tossing a complete-game three-hitter and striking out a career-high 10 batters. The rookie right-hander’s only blemish came when she surrendered a two-run homer in the third inning. She allowed just one hit for the remainder of the game and struck out the side in order in the seventh – all looking. The victory was the third straight for Solis.

Peterson provided the offensive punch for Chapman, blasting a three-run homer in the second inning – the first of her career. The Panthers also got an RBI double from senior IF Melanie Villarroel in the first inning, helping to build a 4-0 lead after two. Sophomore OF Jojo Wakabayashi had a pair of hits and scored two runs for Chapman.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscores:
Game 1: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2009-10/stats/cu-csm.htm
Game 2: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2009-10/stats/stm-cu.htm