Softball drops NCAA Regional opener at Texas Lutheran

SEGUIN, Texas – The Chapman University softball team fell 9-1 to No. 2 Texas Lutheran in the first game of the best-of-five NCAA Regional. Allie Tajii had two hits to lead the Panthers.

Chapman fell in a hole early on as the Bulldogs scored six runs over the first two innings. Tajii and Miranda Murphy opened the game with a pair of singles and pulled off a double steal to put two in scoring position with no outs. Both were left stranded as the middle of the order went down in order to end the threat.

TLU responded with a pair of runs in the first, scoring on a wild pitch and blooper into center. In the second, the Bulldogs added four more with the help of a pair of Panther errors. Jillian Kelly replaced Simi Lauwers in the circle and ended the rally with a pair of fly outs.

Chapman got on the board in the third when Murphy drew a one-out walk and eventually scored after single from Ilianna Serna and Julia Muniz. Chapman threatened again in the fourth but left two runners on base without a run coming home.

TLU scored on a solo homer in the third and brought home another run with three singles and a sacrifice bunt in the fourth. Casey Martin hit a game-clinching double in the fifth to complete the run-rule victory.

Chapman and Texas Lutheran face off twice tomorrow in the NCAA Seguin Regional with the first game scheduled for 5 p.m. The Panthers will need to take at least one game in order to extend the season into Sunday.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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