THOUSAND OAKS, Ca. – The Pacific University softball team picked up their first win of the season over California Lutheran on Sunday afternoon, splitting the day taking the first game by a score of 4-2 before the Kingsmen took the second game 2-3.
Top Performers
Sydney Rusin was excellent in her first win of the year striking out four batters in her three innings pitched in game one.
Rylee Patton went three for four in game 2 including her game-winning 2 RBI single in game one. Freshman Alexus Carter went three for four in game two hitting two doubles on the day.
Game 1
The Kingsmen opened up the scoring in their first turn at the plate when they scored the first two runs of the game. Needing to respond to the Kingsmen's opening runs, the Boxers were held scoreless for the first three innings.
At the top of the fourth, the Boxers were able to string a few hits together to get things rolling. After back-to-back singles from Savannah Roddey and Alexus Carter, Chloe Knepp would step to the plate to give the Red and Black some more energy she laced a ball to right center to plate Roddey and Carter tying the game at 2-2.
Lindsey Greenfield and Sydney Rusin proved to be a good duo on the day, Greenfield held the Kingsmen to two runs allowing only four hits in her four innings pitched. Rusin found her way onto the mound in the bottom of the fifth having herself a stellar outing. She tallied four total strikes, including back-to-back strikeouts in the bottom of the sixth shutting down the Kingsmen's offense.
Rylee Patton would give the Boxers a 4-2 lead in the top half of the sixth inning with a 2 RBI single, scoring Sami Pettit and Rylie Kihara. Pacific would take the win into the second game despite the Kingsmen's last-ditch comeback effort.
Game 2
The host Kingsmen opened up the scoring in game two in the bottom of the first with a two-out RBI. The bats would go quiet for both teams in the second inning. Reiko Flores-Wo and Carter would find a couple of hits of their own in the top half of the third but the Boxers would continue to remain scoreless.
The Kingsmen would rack up another run in the bottom of the third.
Following back-to-back walks Petitt came through with a single up the middle advancing Kihara and plating Flores-Wo to get the Boxers on the board. California Lutheran would respond quickly in the bottom half of the inning to add an extra run to their lead, 1-3.
The Red and Black got one back in the top of the sixth following a Zanassi double to shorten the deficit to one run. The Boxers would continue to search for the tying run in the top half of the seventh but the Kingsmen would take the game two win.
Up Next
The Boxers will make their way to Eugene, OR next Saturday for a doubleheader against Bushnell. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.
For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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