FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAPMAN WEATHERS NO. 15 WILLIAMS, BUT NOT TUFTS

ORANGE, Calif. –  A short period of wet weather was just enough to dampen the outcome in the first of two games for the Chapman University softball team on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers surrendered a 4-1 lead in the midst of 30 minutes of rain, during which time Tufts University (Mass.) rallied for seven runs in the sixth inning on its way to an 12-6 win. Chapman recovered to defeat No. 15 Williams College (Mass.) 2-1 behind strong pitching in Sun West Tournament action at Hart Park.

Game 1: Tufts 12, Chapman 6
The Panthers built a 4-1 lead thanks, in part, to a two-run home run from freshman IF Melanie Villarroel in the second inning. However, the Jumbos capitalized on three walks and had four extra-base hits – three doubles and a three-run homer from Casey Sullivan – to rally for seven runs in a rain-soaked sixth inning. Tufts tacked on four more runs in the seventh inning to upset No. 6-ranked Chapman. Senior OF Sandra Burns was 3-for-3 with a double and RBI and sophomore OF Erin Dudzinski had a pair of doubles in the loss.

It was Chapman’s second straight loss following an 8-0 defeat against No. 1 St. Thomas (Minn.) on Monday. The St. Thomas loss was the Panthers’ first to a ranked team this season.

Game 2: Chapman 2, Williams 1
In the first of two meetings against the Ephs, senior RHP Maggie Wilder threw a complete game two-hitter and tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts in defeating Williams. Wilder improved to 10-3 overall this season.

Dudzinski drove in the Panthers’ only two runs with a two-out single in the second inning, as the Panthers were held to just five hits in the game. Junior IF Amanda Campbell was 2-for-4 for Chapman (19-8).

Wilder previously struck out 12 in Chapman’s 8-1 win over Louisiana College at the NFCA Leadoff Classic earlier this month. The senior, who appeared to get stronger as the game progressed, retired the final eight batters she faced including five strikeouts.

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Game stats available online:
http://www1.chapman.edu/athletics/06-07/softball/tuf-cu.htm
http://www1.chapman.edu/athletics/06-07/softball/cu-wil.htm