Riverside, Calif. – The Softball Team hosted Benedictine University at Mesa (Mesa, Ariz.) in a four-game series over the weekend. The Golden Eagles (2-10) split the series 2-2 with the Redhawks (3-15).
Friday, Game 1
After a scoreless first inning, the Redhawks struck first with one run in the top of the second inning off a double to deep, left-center field. The Redhawks scored four more runs in the top of the third inning, before the Golden Eagles were able to score one in the bottom of the third inning, leaving three runners on base.
The Redhawks would go on to score two more times in the fifth and sixth innings respectively, leaving the Golden Eagles behind, 7-1 to end the game.
Friday, Game 2
The Golden Eagles tweaked their game plan, refocused and clinched a 5-0 victory over the Redhawks in game two, led by Cal Pac Pitcher of the Week, Keana Houchin, who threw a shutout, only allowing two hits.
The Golden Eagles notched two runs in the bottom of the third inning; Kirstin Mullen hit a double up the left field line, scoring Rachelle Zilavec for the RBI, followed by a single off the bat of Desiree Lara, scoring Mullen for the RBI and two runs on the board for the Golden Eagels, holding the Redhawks to nil.
The Golden Eagles bats heated up again in the sixth inning, with a single by Kindy Favata and a double by Elizabeth Pena, bringing the score to 5-0, where it would stay for the Golden Eagles victory.
Kaylee Quezada led the Golden Eagles with two hits in three at bats. The Golden Eagles didn't commit a single error in the field.
Sunday, Game 1
The Golden Eagles used the momentum from their win on Friday to propel them to victory once again, in a 9-0 win over the Redhawks in five innings.
The Golden Eagles scored first in the abbreviated game, coming up with three runs in the bottom of the first. Kindy Favata started the offense off, with a single. Adriana Reyes laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt. Next up, Kaylee Quezada singled to left field, as did Kirstin Mullen, scoring Favata. Rachelle Zilavec scored off a wild pitch. Ashley Ingle singled to center, scoring Mullen.
In the bottom of the third inning, Kirstin Mullen homered over the left field fence on a 3-2 count. Brandi Almaraz singled to center field. Ashley Ingle doubled down the left field line. Elizabeth Pena grounded out, but was awarded an RBI for scoring Almaraz. Jescenda Lopez singled to shallow right field, scoring Ingle. Kindy Favata singled to short, advancing runners and brining the score to 6-0.
The Golden Eagles would have another great showing at the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring three more runs, off the big bats of Brandi Alamraz and Elizabeth Pena, both hitting doubles and brining the score to 9-0, clinching the victory.
Sunday, Game 2
The Golden Eagles and Redhawks battled over three hours, in the high scoring affair, until the Redhawks won, 18-14.
The offense was strong for both teams, as the Redhawks crossed home plate first, ending the top of the first inning with three runs, but the Golden Eagles answered back in the bottom, taking the lead with four runs of their own.
Both teams would score one run respectively in the second inning, but it would be the bottom of the third inning and the top of the fifth inning where a total of 14 runs were scored, seven by each team, giving the Redhawks the lead, 18-12, but the Golden Eagles weren't' done.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Golden Eagles scored two more, coming within four runs of the Redhawks, but their bats cooled and they were held to nil in the bottom of the seventh. The Redhawks walked away with the win, 18-14 and an even split, 2-2 on the series.
Samantha Montero went 3-3 at the plate, with three RBIs. Adriana Reyes went 2-2 at the plate, while Ashley Ingle and Elizabeth Pena went 2-3 at the plate. Kindy Favata, Kaylee Quezada, Kirstin Mullen (4 RBIs) all had two hits, while Brandi Almaraz had one hit.
Keana Houchin threw five innings, Kirsten Hernandez and Clarisse Rosales also split time in the circle.
Next up, the Golden Eagles travel to Arizona for a four-game series with Park University-Gilbert.
