SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican women's softball was swept in a doubleheader 8-0 and 3-1 by Biola University Tuesday afternoon at Penguin Field.
Freshman outfielder
Peyton Mott earned the Penguins (7-25, 4-18 PacWest) only hit of game one as the Penguins went out silently. Dominican found more success from the plate in the second game led by
Alyssa Ramirez. Ramirez went 1-for-2 with a walk, and made several phenomenal defensive plays at third to keep the Eagles within striking distance for the Penguins. Freshman
Rosa Leguria (1-4) recorded her first career complete game in the second game, allowing three earned runs behind an error free game from her defense.
The Eagles (18-12, 13-7 PacWest) finished the first game with 11 total hits in the six innings played, and 12 hits in the second game. Leadoff hitter Kayla Neff went 5-for-8 on the day with four runs, while Areana Ramos added her own 5-for-8 day at the plate with four RBI. Paige Austin (7-5) earned the victory in the first game after allowing only three base runners.
Game One
The Eagles struck early in the top of the first inning as Hailey Boyett drew a walk and quickly advanced to third on a double from Ramos. Missy Poti followed with a long line drive to right field to bring in Boyett for the 1-0 lead.
Biola tacked on two more runs in the third as doubled home two more runners and advanced to third on the throw with one out. Poti yet again flew out to right to score Ramos from third and give the Eagles a 4-0 advantage.
Biola continued to slowly pull away scoring two runs in the fourth and sixth innings, highlighted by another 2-RBI double from Ramos, to seal the victory.
Game Two
The Eagle maintained the momentum early in game two as Sicilli Brittingham singled up the middle and stole second with one out in the top of the second. Ari Gonzales doubled down the right-field line to to score one and keep the pressure on the Penguin defense. Gonzales moved to third on a sac bunt and Blossey singled through the right side to bring her home for the 2-0 lead.
Dominican was able to contain Biola's offense in the top of the third as
Keely Bowlan made a web gem in right field with a diving catch in the right-center gap to deny Poti a double and the Eagles a run. Ramirez then flashed some leather of her own in the fourth diving to her left to rob Gonzales of a base hit and keep the Penguins in the game.
The Eagles made up for the missed chances in the top of the fifth as three straight singles from Neff, Kiana Meriales, and Ramos loaded the bases for Poti. Poti grounded out to
Karitza Reyes at short, but it was enough to bring Neff home for the 3-0 lead.
After back-to-back singles to lead off the top of the sixth inning,
Mady Christensen and Reyes connected on a 4-6-3 double play to keep the lead from growing. It was déjà vu in the top of the seventh as Biola led off with back-to-back singles. This time it was Ramirez who scooped up a ground ball, tagged her own base and threw to first for the clutch double play. In the following at-bat,
Alexis Chinchilla threw a strike to Ramirez at third on a ball low in the zone, to catch Ruth Munoz stealing to end the frame.
The Penguins made things interesting in their final frame as Reyes reached on an error and
McKenzie Schumacher beat out a high bouncer just in front of home plate for an infield single. Persi singled through the right side to load the bases with no outs. Schumacher scored the lone run of the game for Dominican on a fielder's choice, but Biola's defense left two runners stranded.
The Penguins and Eagles will face off again in another doubleheader Wednesday beginning at noon PDT. Dominican will be celebrating Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. Live stats will be available online.
