Redlands, Ranked #6, Sweeps Doubleheader from Willamette

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

REDLANDS, CALIF. -- The University of Redlands, ranked #6 in NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), swept a doubleheader with Willamette University on Saturday, March 19. The Bulldogs won 9-1 on the run rule in five innings in the opener and were victorious in the second game, 8-3.

Redlands improved to 21-1 on the season. Willamette fell to 3-9 overall.

The Bulldogs started the doubleheader by scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. Amanda Clark was hit by a pitch to open the stanza and Janelle Carrasco followed with an infield hit to third base. After a double-steal and a strikeout, Amanda Lievanos drove in the game's first run with another infield hit.

Lievanos stole second and Carrasco scored on the throw for a 2-0 lead. Aleisha Martinez added an RBI single with two outs to bring in the third run.

WU got one run back in the top of the third. Suzannah Von Trapp (Jr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) reached base on an error by third baseman Kirsten Milliner and then stole second. Jessica Barry (Jr., LF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) drove in Von Trapp with a single up the middle.

Redlands tacked on one run in the bottom of the third and added two runs in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead. Both of the runs in the fourth inning scored on a home run by Sarah Beeman.

The Bulldogs tallied three runs in the fifth to end the game on the run rule. All three runs scored with two outs, after the first two batters in the inning grounded out.

Carrasco walked and Milliner singled. Lievanos sent a base hit through the right side to bring in Carrasco with the first run. Later in the stanza, Lizett Casillas achieved a two-RBI single.

Lievanos was 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs for the Bulldogs in the opener. Redlands pitcher Kayla Uphold improved to 10-0 and combined with Gabrielle Sciuto to limit WU to just two hits during the game. Barry and Susie Krewer (Jr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) each went 1 for 2 for the Bearcats.

In the second game, Redlands again took an early lead with three runs in the first inning. Lievanos, Beeman and Rikki Scates each provided an RBI single.

Willamette cut into the lead by scoring once in the top of the third. Kiley Herrick (So., 3B, Colusa, CA/Colusa HS) singled with one out. She moved to second on a ground out by Yvonne Drabin (So., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS). Barry walked and Herrick advanced to third on an error by the catcher. Barry stole second base and Herrick scored on the throw.

The score remained 3-1 until Redlands pushed four runs across the plate in the bottom of the fifth. Beeman and Casillas each drove in one run, while Molly Duran hit a two-RBI single to center field.

In the top of the sixth, Mica Romero (Jr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) walked with one out and eventually scored for Willamette. Nichole Robertson (Jr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Consumnes River College) was hit by a pitch with two outs and later reached home on a single by Hope Kloczko (So., C, Cameron Park, Ca/Oak Ridge HS).

Lievanos walked with one out in the bottom of the inning and scored on a double by Beeman to complete the scoring.

Three Redlands pitchers combined to record the win. Sciuto received the pitching decision and improved to 7-1. The Bulldogs achieved 11 hits during the game, led by Beeman, who went 4 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. Herrick and Kloczko each registered one of WU's two hits.

Willamette will continue its Spring Break trip to California on Monday, March 21, when the Bearcats will take on the University of La Verne in a doubleheader. Game time in La Verne, Calif., is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).