Game 1: Whitworth 8, Cal State East Bay
4 (Complete box and
play by play) ORANGE, Calif. - Facing a brutally difficult schedule in the SunWest softball tournament, the Whitworth softball team split its first day of games in Southern California. The Pirates defeated Cal State East Bay 8-4 behind a pair of home runs, then fell to host Chapman 8-0. In the first game, Mandee Edwards' three run home run capped a four-run second inning. It was her second home run of the season. In the fourth inning, Sarah Froman hit a grand slam to give the Pirates an 8-2 lead. Jo Sonnett made sure that lead would hold up as Whitworth eventually won 8-4. Whitworth improved to 8-5, while the Pioneers fell to 15-6. Sonnett went the distance to improve to 6-3. She allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits. She struck out six and walked three. The second game was a pitchers' dual until Chapman broke open the game with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Panther pitcher Jennifer Winford held the Bucs to only two singles. Whitworth starter Jennifer Eckhoff held Chapman at bay through four innings by allowing only a single run on five hits. While Whitworth dropped to 8-6, Chapman improved to 21-6. The Panthers are defending NCAA Division III West Region champions and played in the DIII softball world series last year. It doesn't get any easier on Thursday for the Bucs as they take on two more national powers. Williams (Mass.) finished 28-14 last season and was another team that advanced to the DIII softball world series. The Ephs are 3-3 so far at the tournament this year. Then the Pirates play two-time defending NCAA Division III champion University of St. Thomas (Minn.). The Tommies are 13-1 so far this season. |
