Softball's upset bid foiled; losing streak reaches nine

ORANGE, Calif. - A four-run seventh inning by the visiting Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College softball team spoiled Chapman University's bid at an upset over the No. 13-ranked Athenas. Claremont rallied to win Game 2 5-4 earning the doubleheader sweep over the Panthers after winning Game 1 6-3 at El Camino Real Park on Thursday night. The losses extended Chapman's losing streak to a school record nine games.

Game 1: Claremont 6, Chapman 3
The Athenas broke open a scoreless game with two runs each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to build a 6-0 lead. Claremont junior OF Gizelle Pera hit a solo home run in the fifth inning off Chapman senior RHP Vanessa Goncalves. Pera then hit a run-scoring triple in the sixth and later scored.

Chapman rallied for three runs in the seventh and brought the tying run to the plate, but could not complete the comeback. Freshman OF Kerry Peterson singled home a run, followed by RBIs from senior IF Melanie Villarroel and sophomore C Michelle Pitts. Peterson and Villarroel each finished with a pair of hits for the Panthers.

Goncalves (3-6) suffered the loss despite striking out eight Athenas in just 5.2 innings. The loss ensured Chapman would finish with a losing record for the second consecutive season.

Game 2: Claremont 5, Chapman 4
The Panthers led 4-1 heading into the seventh inning, but Claremont rallied for four runs in the inning, capped by a game-winning three-run homer by Pera.

Chapman (14-20) built a 4-0 lead with three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. The Panthers loaded the bases in the third when sophomore OF Jojo Wakabayashi scored on a passed ball to give Chapman a 1-0 lead. Senior IF Dani Brown squeezed home a run with a bunt single and sophomore IF Courtney James followed with a sacrifice fly.

Villarroel singled home a run in the fourth - one of her four singles in the game. The veteran went 4-for-4 in the game and 6-for-8 in the doubleheader to lead the Panthers.

Claremont (30-6) cut its deficit to 4-1 with a run in the fifth, setting up the dramatic seventh inning comeback.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

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