Softball shuts out Boxers by committee, walks it off in ninth

ORANGE, Calif — Four pitchers combined for a shutout and Mo Lynch drove home the game-winning, and only, run of the game to tally softball's second win of the season over Pacific (Ore.) 1-0 in nine innings.

Jillian Kelly, Izzy Epstein, Simi Lauwers and Rose Malen combined for 12 strikeouts and only two hits in the lights out performance in the circle. Kelly opened the game pitching two perfect innings, followed by another perfect inning from Epstein and two no-hit innings from Lauwers. Malen finished the final four innings, earning her first collegiate win, striking out six.

Hits were hard to come by all afternoon, and the Panthers' offense wasn't an exception. The most important hit, however, came in the ninth when Mo Lynch popped up a ball into the lights causing confusion between the second baseman and right fielder, dropping the ball in right field.

Pinch runner Mia Reyes scored from second, after an Ilianna Serna walk to lead off the inning and a Grace Fosselman sacrifice bunt.

The biggest play of the game came on the defensive end. After the Boxers got their first hit, a ground ball into right field, Miranda Murphy came up firing to third base. A perfect throw and tag by Serna caught the runner, which would have caused a first-and-third situation with one out.

The Panthers moved to 2-1 on the season with the victory and will return to action on Sunday to take on Pacific Lutheran in a double header, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., at El Camino Real Park.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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