Bulldogs Sweep Series to Capture First-Ever NCAA Division III Softball Title
Photos by Brian Bishop
Members of the University of Redlands softball team celebrates an historic victory.
From goredlands.com
The University of Redlands softball team captured its first NCAA Division III National Championship in program history, defeating Trine University of Angola, Indiana, 7-6 to sweep the Women’s College World Series championship series two games to zero.
The Bulldogs finished their historic campaign with a 48-6 record.
Mirroring the series opener, Trine initially had the lead, launching a sacrifice fly and a three-run home run to take a 4-0 advantage in the first inning.
The University of Redlands softball team captured its first NCAA Division III National Championship in program history, defeating Trine University of Angola, Indiana, 7-6 to sweep the Women’s College World Series championship series two games to zero.
The Bulldogs finished their historic campaign with a 48-6 record.
Adyson Kim adds a base run.
Mirroring the series opener, Trine initially had the lead, launching a sacrifice fly and a three-run home run to take a 4-0 advantage in the first inning.
The Bulldogs rallied in the sixth inning, scoring three runs to tie the game. Kim opened the frame with a double to left field. After a groundout by sophomore Avery Provenzano of San Jose moved Kim to third base, Lopez singled through the left side to drive in a run. Bard executed a sacrifice bunt to advance Lopez, and junior Leila Gomez of San Bernardino followed with an infield single to shortstop. Gomez stole second base before Lowthers drove a two-run single up the middle to tie the game 6-6.
The Redlands offense kept rolling in the top of the seventh. Senior Maya Holshoe of Redlands singled down the left-field line and stole second base. Provenzano then drove a single up the middle to score Holshoe, driving in the eventual championship-winning run.
Relief pitcher senior Brianna Garcia of Riverside earned the victory in the circle. After entering the game for senior starter Katlyn Gandara of Whittier in the fifth inning, Garcia stranded two runners by securing a clutch strikeout. She retired Trine in order in the sixth, and closed out the seventh inning with a comeback groundout and two flyouts to Scott in right-center field to secure the national title.
Every Redlands batter in the lineup recorded at least one hit. Scott and Lopez each finished the day with two hits and a walk, while Gandara and Lowthers both reached base via a hit and a walk.
Seniors celebrate a historic conclusion to their college athletic careers (from left): Avery Duran, Natalie Lowthers, and Brianna Garcia.
Gandara pitched 4.2 innings, allowing six earned runs while striking out four. Garcia closed out the final 2.1 innings without surrendering a hit, walking her first batter before retiring the final seven hitters in order.
Despite being out-homered 4-0 over the two championship games, the Bulldogs outpaced the Thunder in extra-base hits, recording five more combined doubles and triples than Trine. Redlands batted .407 in the series compared to Trine’s .283 and out-stole the Thunder eight to three. After being outscored 7-0 in the first inning across both games, the Bulldogs outscored Trine 16-0 over the remaining frames.
The national title marks a rapid ascent for the program, which had never qualified for the Women's College World Series prior to May 2025. The Maroon and Gray won their final six games of the season after starting the national tournament format with a 3-2 record.
While Redlands graduates nine players who appeared in the championship series, the team returns its top series hitter in Scott, who batted .833, alongside starting lineup mainstays Gomez, Provenzano and Lopez.