LA MIRADA, Calif. – Dominican softball opened its roadtrip with a doubleheader sweep of Biola winning the first game 2-0 before a 8-4 victory in the nightcap at Freedom Field.
 
Senior pitcher Shelby Keltner led the way in the first game with a complete game shutout allowing only two hits and striking out five to move to 4-5 on the season before coming in relief for the save in game two with a pair of strikeouts. Freshman infielder Annabelle Burke provided the winning runs for the Penguins (7-6 ,4-0 PacWest) in the first game going 1-for-3 with two RBI, while freshman utility Kate Tobola led the offensive charge in game two going 3-for-4 with three RBI.
 
Game One
The first game was a duel of aces as Keltner faced off with Raylene Roybal of the Eagles (16-7, 9-3 PacWest). After a quick first inning, Keltner got things started for Dominican offensively in the top of the second with a single up the middle before sophomore outfielder Caitlyn Perales sent the first pitch she saw to deep right center to put runners on second and third with one out. After an error loaded the bases, Burke stepped to the plate and singled to shallow left field to bring home two runners for the 2-0 lead.
 
It was all the room Keltner would need as she sat down the batters in order in the bottom of the second before Rilee Ruvalcaba singled to short to lead off the bottom of the third marking the last hit of the night Keltner would allow. After a pop up to first and short retired the next two batters, Keltner struck out the final batter of the inning to leave Ruvalcaba standing at first.
 
Biola never got a runner past first for the remainder of the game as the Penguin defense was on fire behind Keltner to ensure the second inning runs were enough for the victory.
 
Game two
Taylor Rodriguez (1-1) started from the circle in the second game as she retired the Eagles in order to open her day before once again Dominican found success in the second inning. Senior catcher Celeste Salas doubled to left center to open the frame with freshman Alexis Abalos entering to pinch run. Abalos moved to third on a sacrifice bunt before Burke placed down another bunt and the pitcher's throw home went high allowing Abalos in for the first run of the game. After sophomore Alicia Garcia drew a walk, Kate Tobola singled on a looping ball into shallow right center allowing Burke to come home from second for the 2-0 lead.
 
The Eagles were able to get one run back in the bottom of the third as Ruvalcaba singled through the left side and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Colby McClinton then singled to right to bring her home and cut the lead in half.
 
After a scoreless fourth, Tobola led off the fifth with a single to left field and Perales moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Senior shortstop Lauren Lapinid sinlged on a line drive to right field, but the throw home was enough to hold Tobola at third putting runners at the corners. After Lapinid stole second, Keltner sent a deep fly ball to left field to bring in Tobola and regain the two-run advantage. Salas was hit by a pitch and freshman Marina Median drew a walk to load the bases for Burke.
 
Burke sent a slow ground ball to short and the throw over to first went low and two runs came home for the Penguins. Garcia then singled to shallow left to score Medina before senior Faith Erb singled on a slap towards second to load the bases for Tobola. Tobola delivered for the second time of the nning with a single to right field to score two more and take an 8-1 lead.
 
The Eagles were able to cut the lead in half with three runs in the bottom of the sixth highlighted by Brie Nowak's double down the left-field line that made it 8-4 heading to the final inning of play. Biola made it interesting in the seventh as singles from Jennifer Morinishi and McClinton combined with a walk by Roybal loaded the bases with Keltner in the circle. Keltner went down 2-0 in the count to Kaitlyn Hawkins before throwing three straight strikes catching Hawkins swinging for the final out of the game.
 
Dominican will conclude its series with Biola Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at noon PST at Freedom Field.