FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women’s softball team rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning, then held on to defeat visiting University of Puget Sound 5-3 in the Sun West Tournament at Hart Park on Friday evening. It marked the Panthers’ seventh consecutive victory and third come-from-behind win in a row. Trailing 3-2, the Panthers received a game-tying home run from senior third baseman Kim Sanders to leadoff the sixth inning, her team-leading sixth of the year. It was a bit of déjà vu for the Panthers since Sanders was the one who tied the game between Chapman and Central (Iowa) last Sunday with a leadoff homer in the seventh. Senior outfielder Kailee Roeser followed with the game-winning home run – back-to-back with Sanders – to give the Panthers the lead for good. Sanders finished the game 3-for-4 and was a triple shy of the cycle. For Roeser, the timing for her first homer of the season couldn’t have been better. Sophomore right-hander Jennifer Winford retired the final 11 batters she faced and allowed just one hit in six and two-thirds innings of relief to pick up her eighth win of the year. Puget Sound hit back-to-back homers in the first inning to build a 3-1 lead. Lindsey Fujita hit a two-run home run with one out in the inning, followed by a solo homer from Hailey Gee. Chapman will put its winning streak on the line against two of the nation’s top teams as tournament play continues on Sunday. The Panthers will face No. 15 St. Mary’s (Minn.) at 10:15 a.m., followed by two-time defending national champion and top-ranked St. Thomas (Minn.) at 1 p.m.
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