By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Pitchers Lauren Richards and Heather Shipley of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) each threw a complete game as the Athenas downed Willamette University in both games of a doubleheader, 8-0 on the run rule in five innings and 6-2, on Friday, March 25 at Athena Field. Richards tossed a no-hitter in the opener, while Shipley limited WU to four hits in game two.
Willamette pitcher Kenna Davis (Fy., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) added a complete game of her own for the Bearcats in the second contest. Davis limited CMS to eight hits while striking out one batter and allowing no walks. Five errors by the Bearcats during the game helped the Athenas score six runs overall, including five unearned runs.
The Athenas moved their record to 11-12 on the season. Willamette slipped to 8-15.
Richards Pitches Athenas to Shutout Win in Opener
CMS took control of the first game in the bottom of the second inning by scoring five runs. The Athenas registered six hits during the stanza, including a 2-run single by Emily Nutting and an RBI single by Ari Livi. The fourth run was scored by Nutting on a wild pitch before Emma Suh drove in the final run with an RBI ground out.
The Athenas plated two runs in the fourth inning for a 7-0 lead. Livi singled to center to start the inning, went to second on a ground out, reached third on a bunt single from Suh, and scored on a double steal. With two outs, Paige Zimmerman belted a triple to send Suh across the plate.
Ananya Koneti walked for CMS with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Natalie Dale pinch-ran and stole second. She advanced to third on an infield single by Nutting, and scored when Sophia Nguyen reached first base on an error at second. The run gave the Athenas an 8-0 advantage, which ended the game on the run rule.
Richards struck out one batter and gave up three walks while earning the shutout win. She improved to 4-3 on the season. Jordyn Johnson (So., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) of Willamette fell to 3-6 with the loss.
Livi was 3 of 3 at the plate for CMS in the opener. She scored two runs and recorded one RBI. Nutting, Koneti, and Abby Thompson each earned two hits and scored one run for the Athenas. Nutting also provided two RBIs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps registered 13 hits, including a double by Thompson and a triple by Zimmerman.
Lund Goes 2 for 4 with a Double for Willamette in Game 2
In the second game, Mia Lund led the Bearcats with two hits in four at bats, including a double. Lund's double was the only extra-base hit by either team during the game.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Suh hit a single to center field. Richards, who played third base for CMS in the second game, followed Suh's at bat with a single to left field. Zimmerman reached base on an error to load the bases. Dale provided a sacrifice fly that allowed Suh to cross the plate.
Willamette grabbed a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Brianna Majors (Jr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) started the frame with a single to right field. She stole second base and went to third when Cassie Cosler (Sr., 1B, Albany, OR/West Albany HS) hit into an error by the shortstop.
Sophia Lucio (So., OF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) pinch-ran for Cosler. A double-steal followed, with Majors scoring and Lucio advancing to second. With two outs and Lucio at third, Jewel Fleckenstein (Jr., UT, Wasilla, AK/Mat-Su Middle College School) reached base on an error at shortstop as Lucio scored.
The Athenas regained the lead at 4-2 after scoring three runs in the fifth. The inning included three errors by the Bearcats and a single by Suh.
In the top of the sixth, Lund singled for the Bearcats, stole second base, and went to third on a ground out. Another ground out and a flyout ended the threat. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps brought home the game's final two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a 2-run single by Richards.
CMS outhit Willamette 8-4 in the second game. The Athenas were led by Richards, who went 2 of 4 with a run and three RBIs, and by Suh, who finished 2 of 4 and scored twice. In addition to Lund's 2-of-4 performance, the Bearcats received one hit each from Majors and Gianna Marchese (Sr., 3B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.).
Up Next or the Bearcats
Willamette will make-up a Northwest Conference doubleheader with Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, March 27 in Tacoma, Washington. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). The doubleheader was originally scheduled for the weekend of March 12-13, but was postponed due to the weather.
