No. 4 University of Redlands split with Illinois Wesleyan with identical 6-4 scores in all three matchups of the Waverly, Iowa regional to advance to a second consecutive Super Regional.
The Titans took the first game after being knocked out of the winner’s bracket by Redlands yesterday, jumping on the board early as the Bulldogs spread innings among their full pitching staff.
Adyson Kim launched a two-run homer to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the second inning and
Jenay Scott doubled in
Natalie Lowthers in a rally attempt that fell short in the seventh.
Tension was thick as the second game of the doubleheader began, with both teams getting runners into scoring position to no avail in the first inning. Redlands broke through first in the top of the third as
Katlyn Gandara singled in
Leila Gomez after an infield error allowed the base runner, then Lowthers cracked a no-doubt home run to left-centerfield for the 3-0 lead.
IWU pulled one back in the bottom of the frame on an RBI double following an infield error on the Bulldogs and both pitchers continued to get out of trouble in a scoreless fourth before the real fireworks.
Redlands loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the fifth inning and plated two on a fielder’s choice tag-out at second, but the inning promptly ended on a base running gaffe. IWU capitalized on the slight shift in momentum with three straight singles to lead off the bottom stanza, scoring once before the first out could be recorded and two more on a single and sacrifice fly to trim the deficit to one run.
Caitlynn Griffith reprised a familiar role all season as the rookie came on in relief midway through the fifth and closed out the game with two strikeouts against just three hits allowed, all singles, in 2.2 innings. A sacrifice fly from
Leila Gomez allowed
Brooklyn Bard to score following a leadoff single, stolen base and advancement to third on a wild pitch for the insurance run.
The Bulldogs will face No. 3 Texas Lutheran University in one of the most highly anticipated Super Regional matchups in tournament history next weekend.
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