Softball earns first season sweep against Pomona-Pitzer

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University softball team earned its first sweep of the season over Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in a SCIAC doubleheader at El Camino Park on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers shut out the Sagehens 4-0 in Game 1 and then defeated Pomona 5-2 in Game 2.

Game 1: Chapman 4, Pomona-Pitzer 0

Junior  Gabrielle Leveratto doubled to left field followed by a base hit to left by freshman Sarah Taketa to give Chapman a 1-0 lead in the third. The Panthers then extended their lead 2-0 in the fourth when senior Taylor Cartwright doubled followed by back-to-back singles by freshman Kristen Weiser and senior Karina Muniz.

Pomona-Pitzer battled back leaving four runners on in the fourth and fifth inning, but junior pitcher Natalie Both shut the Sagehens down recording five strikeouts and allowing just four hits.

The Panthers knocked in another two runs in the sixth when Weiser doubled scoring sophomore Amber Perez and senior Lisa Perez who led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Madison Pahl closed the game for the Panthers earning her first career save and allowing just one hit in two innings pitched.  

Game 2: Chapman 5, Pomona-Pitzer 2

In Game 2, Chapman jumped up 2-0 in the first inning, but Pomona tied it up scoring a run in the second and in the third off freshman pitcher Kelci Douglas to even the score two all.

Chapman regained the lead in the fourth 3-2 with a leadoff double by Leveratto who scored off a single up the middle by pinch hitter Michelle Edwards. The Panthers then extended their lead 5-2 over the next two innings when Taketa scored off RBI singles from junior Larissa Rinauro in the fifth and sophomore Garcelle Vierra in the sixth.

Douglas recorded her first career win on Saturday while allowing just six hits in four innings pitched.

Chapman (5-6 overall, 4-5 SCIAC) will host Ithaca College (N.Y.) on Tuesday, March 10 at El Camino Real Park for a nonconference doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. The Panthers will then return to conference play at University of La Verne on Saturday, March 14 for a SCIAC doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

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