Lancaster, Calif. - The Golden Eagles softball team has all but sealed the fourth and final spot in the Cal Pac playoffs with three wins, at the University of Antelope Valley, over the weekend. La Sierra started the series with a doubleheader sweep on Thursday, followed by a doubleheader split on Friday afternoon. The three wins pushed the teams' record to 7-9 in Cal Pac play, and 13-21 overall.
Thursday, April 18
The Golden Eagles took both games of Thursday's doubleheader, both in convincing fashion, 16-4 and 9-4. In Game 1, the team tallied their 16 runs on 16 hits. Jenna Murphy led the way, going 3-for-3 in the game, driving in six runs while scoring two runs. Arianna Rivas was 2-for-3 with four RBI's, and Kaylee Quezada also collected two hits, two RBI's, and scored two runs. Megan Dalton pitched four of the five innings to notch the victory.
In the second game of the day, the Golden Eagles erased an early 3-0 lead by the Pioneers, and scored eight unanswered runs on their way to victory. Anysia Gonzalez finished the game 2-for-2 with three RBI's and a run scored. Taylor Brooks was 2-for-3 and scored three of the team's nine runs, while Taylor Ross had a 2-RBI double in the win. Mariyah Moronez pitched five innings to pick up the win.
Friday, April 19
In Friday's first game, the Golden Eagles offense was held in check, as they tallied just five hits in the 1-9 loss. The Pioneers scored in all but one of the five innings played. However, the Golden Eagles rebounded in Game 2, and scored two late runs to walk away with a 6-4 win. La Sierra scored four 1stinning runs, only to be answered by the Pioneers, who scored three runs in the bottom of the 2ndinning. Antelope Valley tied the game, at 4-4, with a run in the sixth, but the Golden Eagles were not to be denied as they scored two runs in the top half of the 7thinning, for the win. Murphy was one of four players who collected two hits in the win, but was the only player who had multiple RBI's to lead the team. Kirsten Hernandez pitched the final two innings to pick up the victory.
The wins sealed the team's qualification into the Cal Pac playoffs. With just four games left to play, the Golden Eagles lead Benedictine University by four games. La Sierra also holds the tiebreaker against the Redhawks, sealing the fourth and final playoff position for La Sierra. The Golden Eagles will finish the regular season schedule this coming weekend, with two doubleheaders, at Marymount University.
