Softball splits with Ithaca (N.Y)

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University softball team split with Ithaca College (N.Y.) in a non-conference doubleheader at El Camino Park on Tuesday afternoon. Chapman defeated the Bombers in Game 1 3-1, but Ithaca scored early in Game 2 to defeat Chapman 7-3.

Game 1: Chapman 3, Ithaca 1

The Panthers jumped on the board 2-0 in the first inning when sophomore Amber Perez singled to right knocking in junior Larissa Rinauro and senior Taylor Cartwright. The Panthers then added a third and final run in the fourth when Gabrielle Leveratto started a two-out rally with a triple to right field followed by a single to left field by junior Amy Serven.

The Bombers battled back scoring their first and only run in the seventh when junior Erin McQuillan singled up the middle to bring in junior Casey Gavin. Sophomore Jessie Fleck recorded the only other hit for Ithaca with a line-drive to right in the fifth.

Chapman defense was once again led by junior pitcher Natalie Both with a game-high of seven strikeouts while allowing just two-hits in five innings. Freshman Madison Pahl earned her second save of the season allowing just one hit in two innings.

Game 2: Ithaca 7, Chapman 3

In Game 2, Ithaca jumped on the board with four runs in the first inning. The Panthers battled back in the third when Cartwright doubled to left field to knock in freshman Sarah Taketa to edge the score 4-1. However Ithaca answered back and added another run in the fourth to keep Chapman at a 5-1 deficit.

Chapman scored in the fifth and sixth to tighten Ithaca's lead 5-3 but an RBI single by the Bomber's Gavin followed by an RBI double by junior Erin Bloom would extend Ithaca's lead 7-3.

The Bombers defense was led by junior pitcher Allison Macari who recorded five strike outs and allowed just seven hits against Chapman.

The Panthers will return to conference play Saturday, Feb. 14 as they travel to University of La Verne with games set at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Chapman will then return home to El Camino Real Park where it will play its next four doubleheaders beginning with No. 9-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday, March 20 at 3 p.m. 

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

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