WHITTIER, CA – The Alfred University softball team were run-ruled in game one of Wednesday's double-header with Whittier College, 8-0 and dropped a game two loss despite leading through 4.5 innings.
 
The Saxons (1-5, 0-0 Empire 8) were shut down in the first game in five innings and had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning in the nightcap. The Poets (7-3, 0-0 SCIAC) scored three in the fifth and two more in the sixth to make it a 6-3 lead for the hosts. AU scored one more run in the top of the seventh before the game came to the end.
 
Game One (Five Innings)
Alfred University – 0 | Whittier College – 8
 
The Poets scored seven runs in the bottom of the third to all but put the opening game away. Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) saved Alfred University from being 'no-hitted' when she singled to right field in the top of the fifth as the lone Saxon hit of the game.
 
Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) got the start in the circle for the Saxons with a pair of strikeouts in 2.0 innings. Vanessa Reed (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro) came in for relief and recorded three strikeouts.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 4 | Whittier College – 6
 
The Saxons came out with renewed vigor to start the second game on Wednesday, scoring once in each of the first three innings. Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) was the first to score in the opening inning, smacking the team's first home run of the season to right center field for the solo score.
 
Isabella Carrillo (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham Community Charter) reached first on a fielder's choice in the top of the second. She then stole second base and was sent home by an Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) double to left field to make it 2-0 in favor of Alfred.
 
Wells scored the final run for AU before Whittier would go on a tear. She singled to center field in the top of the third and advanced to second on a wild pitch. From there, Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Charter Academy) doubled down the left field line to send Wells home for the 3-0, short-lived advantage.
 
Three runs in the bottom of the fifth and another two in the sixth game the Poets the advantage they needed for the sweep. Wells singled to left center field again and advanced to second base, this time with a passed ball. Isabella Orozco (Studio City, CA/Village Christian) singled to left center to bring Wells home for the final run.
 
The Saxons will next have their one day off during the 10-game, six-day week before returning to action on Friday, March 10 when they travel to Claremont, CA to face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 2:00pm (11:00am PST).