Softball picks up split with Alfred University

Recap courtesy of Whittier

Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – A day after taking on Cal Lutheran University in a doubleheader the Whittier College Softball team returned to the diamond Sunday splitting a doubleheader with Alfred University. 

The Purple & Gold are now 5-5-1, 3-3 SCIAC. 

Game 1 (W, 7-2)

The opening game of the doubleheader was the first of the season for the Saxons.  Whittier got an early run in the bottom half of the 1^st capitalizing on an error by the catcher, which allowed Brianna MaGee (Torrance, Calif.) to score who led off the inning with a double to right center.

The Saxons tied things up in the 2^nd but that's as close as they would get as Whittier put up a three spot in the 3^rd behind a pair of doubles from Hayley Wishner (Chino, Calif.) and Yolanda Oregel (Anaheim, Calif.).  Alfred was able to get another one back in the 4^th coming on a double steal but again the Poets were able to counter the very next inning with another three runs that put the game out of reach.  During the inning Whittier used two hits from Oregel and Natalia Sanchez (Chino Hills, Calif.) and a walk by Kacey Whitney (Cypress, Calif.).

Sam Casanas (La Habra, Calif.) threw lights out going a complete game giving up two runs on two hits, while striking out a couple.  She improves to 3-2.

Oregel finished 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs batted in.  Wishner was 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI and MaGee despite being 1-for-4 at the top was able to score twice.       

Game 2 (L, 6-4)

In game two the Poets again struck first with Brittany Attaway (Claremont, Calif.) singling up the middle plating Whitney.  Alfred though was able to bounce back the very next inning using three hits and an error to score three and take a lead. 

Whittier tied things up at 3-3 in the 4^th with Naomi Martinez (Marina Del Rey, Calif.) singling to right center with two outs that scored MaGee and Jade Sanchez (Whittier, Calif.).  Alfred though went back on top 4-3 in the 5^th.  They started off the frame with a double and a single.  Whittier was able to get a double play after that but gave up the run.  The Saxons extended their lead to 6-3 in the 7^th with a pair of runs again using one hit and an error.  The Poets had an opportunity in the bottom half with Attaway drawing a walk and Megan Heal (San Jose, Calif.) scoring her with a double down the left field line but she would get stranded as Oregel and Sanchez would each groundout ending the comeback hopes.

Alexis Vargas (Pomona, Calif.) was charged with the loss, her third of the season after going 6.0 innings giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits.  MaGee finished 2-for-4 scoring once and Whitney was 2-for-3 with a run scored.  Martinez came in as a pinch hitter and was 1-for-3 with two RBI's and Attaway and Sanchez were each 1-for-3 combining for two runs scored and a run batted in.                 

Whittier remains in non-conference play this Thursday, March 14 when they host Ithaca for a doubleheader at 12:00pm and 2:00pm.