IRVINE, Calif. – Dominican softball fell in 13-2 and 7-1 in a doubleheader Friday afternoon against Concordia University Irvine at Eagles Field.
Alyssa Waltman led the Penguins (17-33, 8-22 PacWest) from the plate with a 3 for 5 performance with two runs and a home run. Amanda Gjertsen led the Eagles (42-12, 24-6 PacWest) with seven RBI on 4 for 8 hitting.
Game one
Gjersten opened the scoring for CUI in the first game bringing home Ryann Ferguson from third on a slow groundball. Michelle Lieng followed up back-to-back singles with a double to right, as the Eagles took a 5-0 lead in the opening inning.
Karitza Reyes singled to center to lead off the top of the second inning to lead the Dominican rally. Waltman singled to right with two outs to keep the inning alive and
Haley Cheek brought both runners home with a double to left. After
Vanessa Porto walked,
McKenzie Schumacher singled to center to bring home Cheek and cut the lead to 5-3.
Waltman frustrated the Eagles from the circle with three consecutive perfect innings and allowing one hit in the bottom of the fifth to give the Penguins offense a chance to tie the game. Dominican was unable to capitalize and left four runners stranded before a big bottom of the sixth for CUI.
Mackenzie Graham began the offensive burst with a 2-run home run to left and Gjersten capped the inning with a 2-run blast of her own to hand the Eagles the 12-3 victory.
Game two
Gaby Katafias got the start for the Penguins in the second game and left four Eagles stranded in the first two innings. Waltman then homered to left to lead off the top of the third inning and give Dominican the 1-0 lead.
Katafias kept the Penguins in the lead over the next two innings, but the Eagles would not be denied and found their swing in the bottom of the fifth. CUI loaded the bases on a couple of defensive miscues and Gjersten singled up the middle to give them the 2-1 lead. Kailey Palazzolo doubled down the left-field line to bring home one more in the frame for the two-run lead heading into the sixth.
Gjersten capped another strong inning for CUI with her second home run of the day, this time to right field, to give the Eagles the 7-1 lead and the Penguins were unable to close the gap.
Dominican will wrap up its season Saturday with a doubleheader against Azusa Pacific at noon PDT at the Cougar Softball Field. Live stats and video will be available online.