THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The California Lutheran softball team opened the 2018 season with a complete team effort as the Regals swept the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 2-0 and 6-1, Saturday afternoon on Hutton Field. It was the season opener for both teams.
In the first game, freshman pitcher Sienna Perez, threw a complete-game and recorded a shutout in her first collegiate start. She allowed only seven hits over seven innings and struck out two people.
The Regals did all their scoring in the second inning. Kendall Marinesi tripled to score Olivia Leyva to give CLU a 1-0 lead.
Two batters later, Antonia Rapisardi hit a ball into foul territory. The Lutes first baseman made a diving catch, however Marinesi tagged up and raced home as CLU went up 2-0. The Regals defense held up the rest of the way as CLU notched its first win of the season.
In the second game, the Lutes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. In the bottom of the inning, the Regals tied it up as Perez hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Rapisardi.
CLU added to its lead in the third as Leyva doubled to left scoring Mikaela Mayhew. During the next at-bat, Leyva stole third and then stole home on an error by the catcher.
The Regals weren't done there. In the bottom of the sixth, CLU put the game away as Catherine Slabaugh tripled to left center and clared the bases as Perez, Makenna Pellerin and Marissa Alfaia all scored.
Olivia Serrano threw a complete game to get her first win of the season. Her great pitching as well as great defense helped propel the Regals to the 6-1 win.
Cal Lutheran is on the road next as the Regals travel to San Diego, Calif., to take on NAIA opponent, St. Katherine's, Tuesday morning at 11 a.m.
Box Score: CLU 2, PLU 0 | CLU 6, PLU 1
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
