Three-run fifth backs Kelly's gem for 14th straight win

ORANGE, Calif. – A three-run fifth was all the was needed as Jillian Kelly tossed another gem in a 3- defeat of Occidental to finish off the SCIAC series sweep. With the win, the Panthers stayed undefeated with a 14-game win streak to open the season.

Kelly struck out five batters in a row from the first to the third innings and sat down seven in her first trip through the lineup on the way to her fourth shutout of the season. Kelly ended the game with eight strikeouts and no walks. She scattered four hits.

Occidental's Drew Samson led the game off with a triple into the right field corner and ended up with three of Oxy's four hits.

Chapman left five runners on base through the first and second innings, drawing three early walks. Oxy starter Delaney Russell settled in and traded zeroes with Kelly through the first four innings.

Miranda Murphy led off the fifth with a bloop single into left and Allie Tajii followed with a bunt single to put two on with no outs. After a ground ball forced out Murphy at third, Tajii and Gracie Rose used a double steal to put both runners in scoring position.

Annika Briski came through with a sacrifice fly to break up the dueling shutouts. Julia Muniz hit a sharp liner down the line at third. Phylicia Pedrosa gave a diving effort and nearly came up with the inning-ending out.

However, the hard-hit liner bounced off her glove and toward the third base dugout, allowing two runners to come home for a 3-0 Chapman lead. Kelly worked around an error in the sixth and retired the Tigers in order in the seventh to push the win streak to 14.

Chapman wrapped up SCIAC play for a few weeks but is back at El Camino tomorrow to take on WPI in a noon doubleheader.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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