Whittier can't avoid split with Tigers

LOS ANGELES - The Whittier College softball team rolled to a 17-1 win in Game 1 of its SCIAC doubleheader against Occidental College on Saturday afternoon but couldn't avoid the split as the Tigers rallied in Game 2 and handed the Poets a 9-5 loss at Bell Field.

Whittier (21-13, 8-10 SCIAC) scored eight runs in the second inning of the first game and added seven more runs in the top of the fifth. WC tallied one run in each the third and fourth inning.

Five Poets recorded multiple hits as they were led by Kellie Canida who went 3-for-3. Nicole Acevedo had five runs batted in.

Nikole Gandara (6-2) earned the win as she allowed one run on two hits in five innings.

The second game of the twin bill played differently than the first. The Tigers chased starting pitcher Amanda Webster (8-9) after just 2.2 innings of work.  Heather Dady went 3.1 innings in relief.

Occidental scored six runs in the first three innings and led 6-4 as the teams headed into the fourth inning.

Jennifer Luders led the Poets with a triple and a homerun.

The Poets return to action Saturday, April 18, as they hit the road to face Pomona-Pitzer.