FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANTHERS OPEN SUN WEST TOURNAMENT PLAY WITH PAIR OF WINS

ORANGE, Calif. –  In the first of 18 home games as part of the annual Sun West Softball Tournament, the Chapman University softball team earned a pair of victories on Tuesday afternoon at Hart Park. The Panthers defeated Lake Erie College (Ohio) 12-4 in their first game, and then beat Bethany College (Calif.) 4-2 in the second.

Game 1: Chapman 12, Lake Erie 4
An offensive attack that included 14 hits helped the Panthers to a 12-4 victory. Junior C Kandy Francis was 3-for-4 with three RBI, including a two-run double that ended the game in the sixth due to the ‘run rule’. Junior OF Erin Dudzinski also had to two-run double as part of a five-run fourth inning that put the game out of reach for Chapman. Every player in the Panthers’ starting lineup collected at least one hit and scored at least one run. Senior DP Amanda Campbell was 2-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases to lead Chapman, which stole five bases in the game.

All of the run support helped sophomore RHP Ally Waffle earn her first victory of the season. Waffle (1-0) held Lake Erie to just three earned runs in six innings and struck out seven batters.

Game 2: Chapman 4, Bethany 2
Consecutive two-out, RBI singles by Dudzinski and sophomore IF Melanie Villarroel in the bottom of the sixth snapped a 2-2 tie and provided the difference in Chapman’s third consecutive win. Senior RHP Jennifer Winford pitched a scoreless seventh inning to record her first save of the year in relief of sophomore RHP Vanessa Goncalves who earned the win. Goncalves allowed an earned run in six innings to improve to 1-0 this season.

Villarroel went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base for Chapman (8-4). Senior IF Catherine Hall had a pair of RBI doubles in the first and third innings – the second of which tied the game at 2-2. The Panthers stole four more bases giving them nine on Tuesday.

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Game stats available online:
/athletics/07-08/softball/le-cu.htm
/athletics/07-08/softball/bet-cu.htm