Redlands Softball Secures Sixth Straight SCIAC Championship Title
Photo by Adrian Williams
Natalie Lowthers is celebrated after her eighth inning clutch two-run single secured a 7-5 comeback victory against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on May 1.
By David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
The University of Redlands softball team has reached a historic peak, clinching its sixth consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) regular-season title and extending its winning streak to 24 games following a dominant stretch of play this week.
The Bulldogs (34-4, 19-1 SCIAC) secured the conference crown with a sweep of Chapman University before taking two straight from Pomona-Pitzer to close the regular season.
Championship Sweep of Chapman
Under head coach Jose Ortega, the Bulldogs cemented their status as the conference powerhouse by defeating Chapman 1-0 and 14-3 last Saturday.
In the opener, Redlands relied on elite pitching as junior Paige Ellinger and freshman Caitlynn Griffith combined for a six-hit shutout. The offense struggled until the sixth inning when sophomore Avery Provenzano tripled and senior Brooklyn Bard drove her home with a single for the game’s only run.
The nightcap was a lopsided affair highlighted by a 10-run explosion over the final two frames. Senior Katlyn Gandara earned her 17th win of the season and the 65th of her career, tying Olivia Ellis (2007-10) for the most wins in program history.
Comeback Victory in Claremont
On Friday, May 1, the Bulldogs' 23rd straight win was nearly derailed. Trailing Pomona-Pitzer 5-0 after three innings, Redlands rallied for four runs in the fourth, sparked by a two-run double from senior Adyson Kim.
Kim tied the game in the fifth, and the contest headed to extra innings. In the eighth, senior Natalie Lowthers delivered a clutch two-run single to secure the 7-5 victory. Griffith remained undefeated on the year, picking up her ninth win with four innings of one-hit relief.
Senior Day Dominance
The Bulldogs wrapped up the regular season Saturday, May 2, in spectacular fashion, defeating Pomona-Pitzer 10-0 to honor their senior class.
The offense wasted no time, erupting for five runs in the first inning. Lowthers set the tone with a massive three-run home run to left field, followed by an RBI single from senior Avery Duran and a bases-loaded walk by Bard.
The pressure continued in the second inning as Provenzano drove in two runs with a single up the middle. Junior Jenay Scott later scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead. The Bulldogs added the final touches in the fourth when Duran reached on an error that allowed both her and Kim to cross the plate.
Postseason Outlook
By securing the SCIAC title, Redlands will serve as the No. 1 seed and host the four-team, double-elimination SCIAC Tournament beginning in two weeks. The Bulldogs enter the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the nation, carrying a 24-game winning streak into the conference championships.