Redlands, Ranked #21, Sweeps Twinbill after Edging Bearcats 4-3 in First Game

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

REDLANDS, CALIF. -- The University of Redlands, ranked #21 in the NCAA Division III Poll released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), scored a run with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge visiting Willamette University, 4-3, in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 25. Redlands won the second game, 11-3, on the run rule in five innings.

With wins in both games, the Bulldogs upped their record to 16-8. Willamette fell to 11-10. The Bearcats will conclude their eight-game Spring Break trip to California with two games at Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday, March 26, starting at 2 p.m. (PDT).

Redlands took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first to start the doubleheader. With one out, Janelle Carrasco bunted for a single. Carrasco moved to second one out later when Vicki King sent the ball to left field and it was misplayed. AJ Carrasco singled up the middle to drive in Janelle Carrasco.

The Bulldogs increased their advantage to 2-0 two innings later when King hit an RBI double. Amanda Lievanos set up the play by hitting a single with two outs. Grace Rose, who pinch-ran for Lievanos, scored on King's double. AJ Carrasco batted next and grounded out, stranding King at second.

Willamette equalized the score with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Heather Winslow (Jr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) singled, stole second and went to third on a single by Jenna King (Jr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS). King went to second on the throw to third.

Ashley Pender (So., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valley HS) singled to right field to bring home Winslow. Pender stole second. King scored and Pender went to third on a single through the left side by Amanda Absher (Jr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS). Two groundouts and a line drive out ended the inning.

AJ Carrasco tripled for the Bulldogs to begin the bottom of the sixth. Two outs later, she scored an unearned run on a passed ball, giving Redlands a 3-2 lead.

The Bearcats tied the game in the top of the seventh. Pender hit an infield single toward shortstop with one out. Absher reached base on an unsuccessful fielder's choice, as Pender advanced to second. Erin Norris (Jr., 3B/C, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) walked to load the bases. Pender scored on a sacrifice fly by Kayla Rieger (Jr., OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS).

Nikoli Sharp doubled to left center -- her only hit of the game -- to start the bottom of the seventh for Redlands. Janelle Carrasco batted next and sent the ball toward first, but reached base on an error, while Sharp went to third. Janelle Carrasco advanced to second on the throw to third.

Lievanos re-entered the game and was intentionally walked, loading the bases. King hit into a fielder's choice, with Sharp thrown out at home. AJ Carrasco then connected for a single to left field to drive in Janelle Carrasco with the winning run.

Both pitchers threw complete games in the opener. Kaitlyn Hooper earned the win and improved to 10-2. She allowed eight hits and two walks, with one strikeout. Jade Smith (Fr., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) fell to 7-2 for WU with the loss. She gave up nine hits, achieved three strikeouts and walked two batters.

AJ Carrasco was 3 for 4 with a run and two RBIs for Redlands. Pender went 3 for 3 with a run and an RBI for Willamette, while King and Absher each went 2 for 4. King scored a run and Absher registered an RBI.

WU started strong in game two, plating three runs in its first at bat. With one out, Myranda Ramirez (Fr., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) reached base on an error at shortstop. Pender singled to center field, but shortly afterward Ramirez was thrown out at home on a double steal. Absher was hit by a pitch.

The Bulldogs made three more errors during the inning. Pender went home when Norris hit into an error at shortstop, and Absher scored on the same play on a bad throw from left field. Norris scored when Alex Shields (Fr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) reached base on an error at second base.

Redlands tallied one run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by King. In the second, the Bulldogs plated four runs, three on a double by King.

Leading 5-3, the Bulldogs pulled way with five runs in the third. The last four runs scored on a grand slam by King with two outs. Redlands won the game on the run rule after Amanda Clark scored an unearned run in the fifth inning.

King went 3 for 3 with a homer, a double, eight RBIs and one run. Janelle Carrasco was 2 for 3 with three runs and two RBIs. Pender went 1 for 2 for Willamette with a run scored.

Lauren Henson (4-1) was the winning pitcher with a complete game for Redlands. She struck out one batter, while allowing three hits and no walks. She gave up three unearned runs. For Willamette, starting pitcher Hayley Glantz (Jr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) fell to 1-3 with the loss.