THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - - The University of Puget Sound softball team traveled south this weekend where they earned a hard-fought doubleheader split against California Lutheran University on Saturday. After dropping the opening game 11-3 in five innings, the Loggers responded with a 5–0 shutout in the second game.
How It Happened
Game 1
The opening contest saw the Regals offense find an early rhythm. Cal Lutheran jumped out to an 4–0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, to put the Loggers on the defensive. Puget Sound responded at the top of the second inning. After Rylie Madariaga reached on a fielder's choice and Alyssa Figueroa drew a walk, Elyssa Garcia delivered a clutch 2-out, two RBI double to right field. The hit cut the deficit to 4–2 and gave the Loggers life early in the contest.
However, the Regals answered in the bottom of the second, adding two more runs to extend the lead. The Loggers attempted another rally in the top of the fifth inning. Kylie Tanimura led off the inning with a triple to deep right field. Two batters later, Alyssa Waldo drove her in with an RBI groundout to shortstop, bringing the score to 8–3.
The comeback was cut short in the bottom of the fifth period. With two runners on, Cal Lutheran hit a three-run home run to center field, triggering the eight-run rule and ending the game at 11–3.
Game 2
The Logger's performance in the second game was defined by a total defensive turnaround and a dominant performance in the circle by Nyomi Estrada. After allowing 11 runs in the opener, the Puget Sound defense held the Regals to just four hits over seven scoreless innings.
The Loggers broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning. Brenna Flannery reached base on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second. Tanimura then reached on a bunt single, moving Flannery to third. A throwing error by the catcher allowed Flannery to cross the plate for the game's first run. Tanimura later scored on a wild pitch to give the Loggers a 2–0 lead.
The Loggers broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning. Following a lead off walk by Alyssa Figueroa in a sacrifice bunt, Flannery reached on another error that allowed the run. With a runner on, Tanimura struck again, lining a triple to deep centerfield to drive in another run. Kat Avanzino kept the scoring with a sharp RBI single to center, pushing the Logger lead to 5–0.
From there, the Logger's defense took over. The pitching staff induced 11 fly outs and seven ground outs, preventing the Regals from ever mounting a multi-runner threat. The Loggers finished the game with zero errors.
Tanimura was the offensive standout for the Loggers on the day, finishing 3-for-7 across the doubleheader with two triples, a stolen base, and an RBI. Elyssa Garcia led the team in RBIs in Game 1 with two, while Nyomi Estrada recorded nine strikeouts in game 2.
What Happens Next
The Loggers remain in California tomorrow, March 1, for a doubleheader against La Sierra University. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., with the second game following at 1:00 p.m.
