Kelly, Lauwers toss consecutive shut outs in double header
ORANGE, Calif — A pair of dominant pitching performances from the No. 20 Panthers' star pitchers, Jillian Kelly and Simi Lauwers, resulted in 14 scoreless innings and two wins for Chapman over Westcliff on Thursday, Mar. 16 — 6-0 and 7-0.
Game 1
Jillian Kelly started the first game for the Panthers and faced minimal trouble throughout the game, not allowing a runner to make it further than second base. She finished the contest with nine strikeouts, zero walks, and only four hits allowed.
The offense picked up what Kelly was putting down in the circle. They were dominant all day. In game one the Panthers broke through first in the third inning when Tracie Okumura flied a ball out to center field. The ball found some grass and was able to score Samantha Kennedy — who also had a great day at the plate finishing with two hits and a walk.
The next three innings the Panthers broke through for five more runs. Two via a pair of triples, one from Julia Muniz and another from a pinch hitter, Jordan Stinnett.
The freshmen also got in on the RBI action, with yesterday's star Morgan Lastinger poking a single through the six hole, and Grace Fosselman knocking one up the middle.
The Panthers wrapped up their scoring frenzy with another pinch hit RBI, this time from Paige Herbert's single to center.
Game 2
Chapman picked up right where it left off in the late game with both the bats and the pitching.
While Lauwers allowed a runner to reach third base, she kept up the scoreless inning streak. She allowed only three hits through her seven innings of work, struck out five, and walked none.
With Lauwers going to work in the circle, the Panther offense got to work at the dish.
They broke through for a big four spot in the third inning with the aid of some poor defense from the Warriors. Two consecutive sacrifice bunts from Allie Tajii and Okumura found their way up the right field line, scoring Miranda Murphy — who had driven in Fosselman on a single the at bat before — and Tajii.
The Panthers tacked on a few more runs in the fifth. After Muniz led the inning off with a double and Lastinger reached via a walk, Simi's sister, Rani Lauwers, stepped to the plate and drove a ball into left field, scoring Muniz. Fosselman came up right after and promptly drove in Lastinger and Lauwers.
With the victories, the Panthers bounce back from Wednesday's loss and find themselves at 17-2 on the season. Westcliff moves to 6-10.
Chapman has a 12-day break as they don't play again until Mar. 29 against No. 11 Depauw University.
By Joe Perrino
Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager
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