Softball sweeps its way to first-ever SCIAC Championship

REDLANDS, Calif — A monumental win in Chapman Softball history, as the Panthers take home their first SCIAC tournament championship after a 5-2 win over Redlands on Sunday, May 8 completed Chapman's three-game tournament sweep.

The Panthers' offense got started in the first inning when Chill Serna ripped a single into left field bringing home Allie Tajii, who led off the game with a walk. Two batters later, Annika Briski laced a double into left center plating Serna. 

After that, Chapman led wire-to-wire. A dominant starting pitching performance from Simi Lauwers — not allowing a hit to Redlands through the first four innings — kept the Panthers well ahead through the majority of the game. 

While Lauwers was locking it down in the circle, Chapman kept up the great hitting at the plate. Tajii kept her good day going in the second inning driving in the Panthers third run of the game in Tracie Okumura, by driving a solid single through the left side of the infield.

The following inning, Julia Muniz stepped to the plate with one away and hit a laser to left field, nearly 50 feet beyond the fence in left field, extending Chapman's lead to 4-0.

Chapman ended its scoring for the day in the fifth. After a tough out on the base paths, Briski stood on third, and Morgan Lastinger on first for Okumura. She lined a pitch out into right field bringing Briski home.

That 5-0 lead was more than enough for Jillian Kelly who came in to relieve Lauwers in the fifth after giving up two consecutive hits and a run. Kelly allowed one more RBI base hit, but that was all Redlands would get.

Kelly retired nine straight batters to end the game, including two swing-and-miss strikeouts, and a fly out to left to end the game. The Panthers rejoiced in left field following the fly ball as SCIAC Champions.

With her clutch play in games one and two — the walk-off single to take home game one and the go-ahead two RBI base hit in game two — Miranda Murphy was awarded the tournament MVP.

With the win, Chapman will await their seeding in the NCAA tournament, set to take place on Monday, May 9 at 10 am.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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