Softball falls 3-1 in elimination game

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team ended its 2019 season with a 3-1 loss to No. 1-seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the elimination game of the SCIAC Postseason Tournament. Senior Samantha Whalen knocked in the Panthers' lone run in the effort.

Chapman capitalized early to score its only run of the game in the bottom of the first. Junior Michaela Foisy was hit by a pitch to reach first base. Junior Christine LoVerde stepped up to the plate and singled to right center to move Foisy all the way to third. LoVerde then stole second with Whalen up to move both runners into scoring position. With two on and no outs, Whalen hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Foisy to easily score from third and put Chapman up 1-0 early.

The Athenas responded in the top of the third with a run of their own. With two outs and no runners on, sophomore Maddie Valdez doubled to right center. Freshman Ananya Koneti stepped up to the plate next, smacking a double to same place in right center to score Valdez and tie the game at 1-1. A groundout to the pitcher ended the inning.

A scoreless fourth brought the Athenas back up to the plate in the top of the fifth. With two one and one out, Koneti singled to left field, scoring both runners and giving CMS its final 3-1 lead.

Whalen pitched four and one-third innings, allowing two earned runs. Senior Emily Claudy came in to relieve in the fifth, allowing no hits in two and two-thirds innings.

The top of the lineup were the only Panthers that were able to get hits off of Athenas' ace Lauren Richards. Foisy, LoVerde and Whalen each tallied one hit in the loss.

The Panthers ended their 2019 season with a 19-23 overall record and an 18-10 ledger in conference play and their second SCIAC Tournament appearance in three years.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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