Softball Wins a Pair at Claremont, 21 Wins Most for Poets since 1987

Vicky Ovieda '09 drove in three runs, scored one run and pitched a complete game two, as visiting Whittier College won both legs of a doubleheader against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on April 21.  The Poets (21-13, 10-8) won 2-0 and 4-1, respectively.

The Poets' 21 wins this season are the most for any Poet softball team since 1987 when they finished 26-11.  The Poets have not won 20 games in a season since 1990.  The most victories in a season for the program is 30 in 1986.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Mary Pacheco '10 went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.  Ovieda singled and drove in a run.  Deena Arenas '08 (9-8) pitched a complete game, allowing no runs on seven hits.  She struck out three batters and walked none.

Neither team was able to provide much offense in the game.  The teams combined for 12 hits, five for the Poets.  The scoreless tie was broken in the fourth inning, when Ovieda singled in Pacheco to put the Poets out in front.  The Poets added their other run in the sixth inning when Pacheco scored on a throwing error.  Arenas kept the Athenas' bats in check on her way to her ninth win of the season.

In the nightcap, Ovieda led the Poets at the plate and on the mound.  She went 2-for-4 with two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.  She earned her 12th victory of the season after pitching a complete game and allowing just one run on four hits and four walks.  She also struck out two batters.  Amanda Carrasco '10 also went 2-for-4 at the plate, with a double and an RBI.  Pacheco went 2-for-3 with a walk and Brenna Winslow '07 singled and scored twice.

The Poets fell behind in the second inning after a walk and an RBI single from the Athenas.  Ovieda shut down the Claremont offense for the rest of the game and the Poets were able to take over the lead in the sixth inning.  Five singles and a sacrifice fly led to three Poet runs in the inning.  Ovieda drove in Winslow with an RBI single in the seventh inning to give the Poets the 4-1 lead that would be the final score.