Shipway Homers for Bearcats, but Redlands Sweeps Doubleheader

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

REDLANDS, Calif. -- University of Redlands (Calif.) won both games of a softball doubleheader against Willamette University on Tuesday, March 26. The Bulldogs won the first game, 5-2, and took the second game, 16-3 on the run rule in five innings.

After 4 1/2 innings in the opener, the teams were tied at 1-1 before the Bulldogs grabbed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Redlands tacked on three runs in the sixth and the Bearcats scored one run in the seventh.

In the second game, Redlands scored nine runs in the first inning and earned 13 hits during the game. Willamette's Maya Shipway (Jr., 1B, Bothell, WA/The Bear Creek School) blasted her first home run of the season to drive in two runs in the top of the fourth.

Redlands improved to 11-13 on the season. Willamette fell to 3-20 on the season.

Bulldogs Break 1-1 Tie in 5th Inning of Opener

The first game was a low-scoring encounter, especially during the first five innings. Redlands earned a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after Jaci Sanchez tripled near the right field line. One out later, Ryanna Curtis belted a double to center to drive in Sanchez.

Willamette tied the game in the top of the fifth. Sofia Magnani (Jr., P/OF, Belmont, CA/Notre Dame HS) singled down the right field line with one out, and went to second on single by Hook. Magnani stole third base, before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Sailor Mickey (Fr., 2B, Lake Oswego, OR/Lakeridge HS). The Bulldogs regained the lead with tow outs in the bottom of the fifth, as Julianne Rodriguez singled, stole second, and crossed the plate on a double by Sam Rivas.

Sanchez hit a solo home run to open the Redlands' half of the sixth inning. One out later, Curtis walked and Brooks McVicker pinch-ran. Jessica Torosian followed with a two-run homer to give the Bullodgs a 5-1 lead

In the seventh inning, the Bearcats had the bases loaded with one out. Magnani scored from third on an error by the catcher after Emily Bishop flied out to center field. Magnani had to go back to third and Meghan Hook (Fr., C, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) went back to second on the throw home. The  catcher threw wildly toward second in an attempt to throw out Hook, allowing Magnani to score. A strikeout ended the threat.

Lindsey Mifsud pitched all seven innings for Redlands. She allowed six hits and two runs, with two strikeouts and four walks. Morgan Penn (Jr., P/1B, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) moved to 0-1 on the season for Willamette after throwing the first 5 1/3 innings. Aaliyah Lopez-Martinez (Jr., UT, Northridge, CA/Cleveland HS/L.A. Valley College) tossed the final 2/3 of an inning for WU. 

Breianna Mcleod (So., OF, Kailua Kona, HI/West Hawaii Explorations Acad.) hit a double, while Hook, Jocelyn Glasgo (Jr., P, Rochester, WA/Tumwater HS) Magnani and Mickey each connected for a single. Magnani scored both of Willamette's runs. For Redlands, Sanchez was 2 for 3 with a triple and a homer, while scoring twice. Rivas went 2 of 4 with two doubles and an RBI.

Redlands Takes Control Early in Second Game

The Bulldogs put together a big first inning with nine runs on nine hits in the second game. The first six hits were singles, but late in the inning Rodriguez hit a three-run triple and Jordyn Smith followed with an RBI triple. The final hit was a single by Tyesen Gordon to drive in Smith. Redlands scored four runs in the second inning and one in the third to extend its lead to 14-0.

Willamette scored two runs in the fourth inning. Kea Gier (Jr., 3B, Kaneohe, HI/Iolani School) walked with one out and stole second with two outs. Shipway provided the big hit with a homer to left field. Redlands earned two runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Bearcats added the final run in the top of the fifth when Danielle Koontz (So., OF, Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) singled with two outs, and later scored when Kelsey Wong (Fr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) powered a triple into the outfield. Bailey Hillmick (So., DP/UT, Athena, OR/Weston-McEwen HS), who singled in between Koontz and Wong, rounded third on the play, but was thrown out at the plate.

Smith was 3 of 4 with two runs and two RBIs for the Bulldogs. Rodriguez went 2 for 2, scored twice and produced three RBIs. Gordon also finished 2 for 2, while driving in two runs and scoring once.

Up Next for the Bearcats

Willamette will host archrival Linfield College in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 at WU Softball Field. The teams will play a doubleheader each day starting at 12 p.m. (PDT).

Big Moment of the Day for Willamette

Maya Shipway smacked a two-run homer in the fourth inning
of the second game against the Bulldogs. It was Shipway's first
home run of the season. She is the fifth Bearcat to hit a homer
this year.