Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Defeats Willamette, 6-1 and 4-0, in Softball

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

CLAREMONT, CALIF. -- Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) defeated Willamette University in both games of doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 21, as the Athenas won 6-1 and 4-0. CMS achieved 11 hits in the opener and eight in the second game, while limiting the Bearcats to six hits in each contest.

CMS upped its record to 5-1 on the season, while Willamette fell to 0-6.

In the first game, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps scored twice in the first inning and once in the second for a 3-0 lead. Brooklyn Robinson singled with two outs and Katie Savard brought her home with a triple in the first inning. Savard scored two batters later on a single near the circle by Mikayla O'Neal. Janelle Siozaki hit an RBI single in the second inning.

The Athenas extended their lead to 5-0 with two runs in the bottom of the third. An error with two outs loaded the bases before Carlene Roberts provided CMS with a two-RBI single to left field. Savard and Carly Roleder scored on the play.

Willamette scored a run in the top of the fifth inning. Mallory Asaro (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) walked to begin the stanza. Kathryn Moore (Fr., 3B, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) pinch-ran for Asaro and scored on a double to center field by Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS). The Athenas escaped the inning without allowing more runs.

CMS tacked on the game's final run on an RBI single by Roleder in the sixth. Tara Robinson, who singled earlier in the inning, scored from second with two outs.

Roleder was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI for the Athenas. Tara Robinson went 2 for 4. Myranda Ramirez (So., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) led Willamette by going 2 for 3 at the plate.

Starting pitcher Anna Gurr of CMS pitched five innings and improved to 1-1 with the win. Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) of WU fell to 0-2 with the loss.

In the second game, pitchers Andrea Jewett and Briana Halle combined for a shutout win. Jewett tossed five innings and allowed five hits, while moving to 2-0 on the season. Halle allowed just one hit over the final two innings.

WU pitcher Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) limited CMS to eight hits and struck out four batters, but gave up two doubles and one home run.

Brooklyn Robinson doubled with two outs in the first inning and was left on base when Savard groundout out. Roleder started the second inning for the Athenas by pounding a solo homer to left field. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps added one run in the third on an infield single by Roleder. Shannon O'Neill drove in the final two runs with a double in the fifth.

Willamette recorded at least one hit in five different innings, but was unable to push a run across the plate.

Roleder was 2 for 2 during the game with a homer, two runs scored and two RBIs. She also walked once. Tara Robinson supplied CMS with two hits and two runs in three at bats.

Six Bearcats registered one hit apiece in game two. Ramirez went 3 for 6 on the day. Kayla Rieger (Sr., OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) and Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) both achieved one hit in each game.

Willamette will open Northwest Conference play next weekend with a four-game series at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. The Bearcats will take on the Pirates in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 28, starting at 12 p.m. (PST). The team will play two more games on Sunday, March 1, also at 12 p.m.