ORANGE, CA – The Alfred University softball team split a non-conference double-header with Chapman University on Tuesday evening, winning the first game of the day.
 
The Saxons (1-3, 0-0 Empire 8) won the first game, 3-1 but fell to a walk-off single in the nightcap, 2-1. AU scored four runs on the day compared to the Cougars' (7-4, 2-0 SCIAC) three runs.
 
"Today was a much better day for the Saxons," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "The split doesn't show how hard we competed and the unbelievable pitching efforts by both Arden and Megan! Great effort by both and a tough loss for Megan. We are having better at-bats, hitting the ball harder and playing good defense. We have to clean up a few mental mistakes and keep competing hard, as well as coming up with clutch hits with runs in scoring position. Looking forward to another one tomorrow against a tough Whittier team!"
 
Game One
Alfred University – 3 | Chapman University – 1
 
Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) scored twice for AU as she got to third base twice from the contact of the bat. First being a double to left center and advancing on a bobbling error by Samantha Kennedy. Lugo scored the opening run of the day when Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) singled to third base for the unearned run. Kennedy had two errors in the opening game as she was credited with another one when Lugo smacked another hard shot her way, resulting in her rounding first and second to get to third for the second time of the game in the top of the seventh.
 
She scored again, courtesy of the bat held by Remm. Remm tripled to left center field, close to Kennedy to bring Lugo home for what ultimately would go on to be the game-winning run and RBI. Remm scored a security run right after when Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) singled through the right side to bring the first-year home for a 3-1 lead and win.
 
Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) went the distance as she pitched 7.0 innings with two strikeouts and six hits against the 29 batters faced while walking only one Cougar.
 
Remm led the offensive efforts with a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI and one run. Wells was also 2-for-4 with a RBI. Lugo was 1-for-3 with two runs. Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) and Isabella Carrillo (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham Community Charter) both registered hits for AU in the opening game.
 
Lugo, Wells, Carrillo and Darby McEnery (Corona, CA/Norco) all had stolen bases in the win. Defensively, Wells had 13 putouts with five of those coming from pitcher, Hatch. Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) added four assists to Wells with two putouts of her own, including the game-ending catch when a bunt attempt went high.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 1 | Chapman University – 2
 
The nightcap was scoreless for six, complete innings before AU struck in the top of the seventh. Raygan Wescott (Taft, CA/Taft Union) doubled to center field during the first at-bat of the inning. O'Toole sacrificed bunted Wescott to third base. Isabella Orozco (Studio City, CA/Village Christian) singled down the left field line to bring Carrillo home for the opening, 1-0 score after she pinch-ran for Wescott.
 
Chapman doubled to right field to start the bottom of the seventh. That runner would score from third two batters later. A hit batter put runners at second and third and both advanced on a bunt single to load the bases. A Cougar pinch hitter singled to right center field to bring home the go-ahead run, closing out the game, 2-1 for the hosts.
 
Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) struck out nine batters as a game-high (two Chapman pitchers combined for eight strikeouts).
 
The Saxons will next head to Whittier, CA to face Whittier College in a double-header on Wednesday, March 8 with the first pitch at 3:00pm (12:00pm PST).