FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATTLE OF REGIONAL HEAVYWEIGHTS ENDS IN A SPLIT DECISION

REDLANDS, Calif. –  So Jennifer Winford is human. After 15 consecutive scoreless innings on Saturday, starting both games of the doubleheader, Redlands earned their only run of the day and it was enough to defeat the Chapman University softball team 1-0 in nine innings; the second game of a season-ending twin bill between nationally-ranked opponents with postseason implications. The Panthers had beaten the Bulldogs 3-0 in the first game at Field of Dreams, thanks to a five-hit shutout by Winford.

Game 1: Chapman 3, Redlands 0
Sophomore IF Melanie Villarroel provided Winford with all the offense she’d need on the sixth pitch of the game. Villarroel hit a solo home run in the top of the first, and then doubled in a run and scored on a errant throw in the third to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead. It was her third homer of the season.

Meanwhile, Winford settled in to shutout the Bulldogs – ranked No. 12 in Division III – on five hits to earn her career-best 15th victory of the year.

Game 2: Redlands 1, Chapman 0 ( 9 inn.)
Sadly, the runs the Panthers scored in the third inning of Game 1 would be the last time they would cross the plate all day. Redlands (31-8) RHP Olivia Ellis matched Chapman’s senior right-hander shutout inning after shutout inning and the pair dueled into extra frames of a scoreless tie.

The Bulldogs finally broke the silence loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth and got an RBI single from Aleisha Martinez to score the game-winning run. The run snapped a scoreless streak of 21 2/3 innings by Winford, dating back to April 8.

Chapman (27-9) – ranked No. 10 in the Division III – managed just three hits off Ellis in nine innings, including a 2-for-4 performance at the plate by Winford. Sophomore IF SheaLynn Slover also had a hit in each of the two games for the Panthers.

Winford and seniors Amanda Campbell and Catherine Hall were honored prior to the game for ‘Senior Day’. The recognition took place in Redlands after Chapman’s home finale, scheduled for Sunday, was cancelled earlier this week by would-be opponent La Sierra. The Panthers must now await word on an at-large berth into the NCAA Division III playoffs when selections are announced next Sunday, May 4.

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Game stats available online:
/athletics/07-08/softball/cu-ur1.htm
/athletics/07-08/softball/cu-ur2.htm