WHITTIER, Calif. – The Pacific softball team erased an early deficit and erupted for 14 runs on 16 hits to defeat Whittier College 14-7 Saturday afternoon to split a two-game series.

The Boxers fell behind 3-0 after the opening inning but responded with a five-run third to seize momentum. RBI hits from Jordan Ingram and Ava Hlavacek, along with a two-run single from Kimberly Ray, highlighted the inning and put Pacific in front 5-3.

Whittier answered back to tie the game and briefly regained the lead in the fifth inning, but Pacific's offense proved too much down the stretch.

The Boxers pushed across three runs in the sixth to retake control before breaking the game open in the seventh. KJ Gardenhire delivered the decisive blow with a pinch-hit three-run home run, and Chloe Knepp followed later in the inning with a two-run shot to cap the scoring.

Knepp finished with three hits and three RBIs to lead the offense, while Kayla Kodani also recorded three hits. 

In the circle, Alissa Hermansen earned the win in relief, limiting Whittier to seven hits and one earned run over the final 4 2/3 innings.

Game 1

The come-from-behind win came after Pacific suffered its first loss of the season Saturday morning, falling 6-4 to Whittier in the first game of the doubleheader.

The Boxers got off to a slow start as Whittier plated four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer.

The Poets added a two-run homer to extend their lead to 6-2 in the third inning.

RBI singles by Ray in the fifth inning and Ingram in the sixth got Pacific within 6-4. 

Hermansen threw three shutout innings, allowing just one hit, to keep the Boxers in the game.  

Knepp was 2-for-4 with an RBI double. 

Next: The Boxers wrap up their California trip on Sunday with a doubleheader at Occidental College. 

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