THOUSAND OAKS, California – The Puget Sound softball team began its 2023 season with a doubleheader split at Cal Lutheran Thursday afternoon. Puget Sound dropped the first game, 5-0, but bounced back to win the second game, 8-3. It's the first time since 2018 that the Loggers have won a game on the opening day of the season.
 
Despite taking the loss in the first game, Savanna Smith pitched all six innings without allowing an earned run. She give up only five hits and walked three. The Loggers committed four errors, which led to each of the Regals' five runs.
 
Emily Moore and Mikayla Johnson both collected two hits in the game-two victory. The Loggers got on the board first when Johnson ripped an RBI double in the top of the second inning.
 
Cal Lutheral took a 2-1 lead after three innings, but the Loggers got back on top in the fourth. Smith led off by reaching base on an error, and she came in to score on a single by Moore – coupled with a Regal error. Johnson and Sam Bland both drew walks to load the bases, and then Kimori Phillips earned a free pass to allow Moore to touch home plate.
 
Kendall Gantz hit an RBI single in the sixth inning, and the Loggers erupted for four runs in the seventh.
 
Jessica Moore began the seventh-inning rally with a single, Smith drew a walk, and Emily Moore singled to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Jessica Moore to score, and the bases were loaded again after Sofia Gonzales drew a walk.
 
Kendall Gantz then cleared the bases when she roped a double to left field.
 
The Loggers remain in California for a doubleheader at La Verne, Feb. 17.