SANTEE, Calif. – The San Diego Christian College Hawks softball team swept the University of Saint Katherine Firebirds in their home opening doubleheader not allowing the visitors to score a single run in either game. The Hawks took game one by a score of 2-0, riding an outstanding pitching performance by freshman pitcher Ada Neu. SDCC would do one better in game two, scoring eight runs while senior hurler Kaitlyn Bailey tossed a no-hitter!
 
GAME 1 – The Hawks would get on the board in the bottom of the third when Alicia Corona crushed a ball that ate-up the Firebird shortstop allowing Marley Rimoldi to score.
The Hawks would double their lead in the fifth inning. Marley Rimoldi would reach on a double to center field and one batter later, Lissette Mejias would reach on a bunt single. On that play, Mejias would attract the attention of the Firebird defense by purposely rounding first and getting into a pickle. Rimoldi, who advanced to third on the single, took off for home as the pickle began.
That would be all that SDCC would need. Hawk pitcher, Ada Neu was dominating in the circle and the defense was dialed in behind her. The freshman would complete the game allowing only 4 hits, striking out two, while walking only two.
 
GAME 2 – There was no shortage of offense for the Hawks in game two. San Diego Christian would score eight total runs, getting production from all across the lineup. Seven different Hawk batters would earn hits, while six would drive in runs.
Maya Abrego earned the first run for SDCC in the first inning. After reaching on a hit-by-pitch, she would promptly steal both second and third bases. She would touch home soon after on a Firebird passed ball.
The fourth inning produced four runs for San Diego Christian. After Marley Rimoldi walked to lead off the inning, Hailey Bussard singled on a bunt advancing her. Talyn Lerma then roped a double to left center that plated Rimoldi and moved Bussard to third. The next SDCC batter, Ashley Waite reached on a USK error that pushed Lerma to third and sent Bussard home.  Serena Shine would earn an RBI on a fielder’s choice and Abrego would double to bring home Waite for the final two runs of the inning.
As the offense kept producing, San Diego Christian College pitcher, Kaitlyn Bailey kept earning outs. The senior not only shut out the Saint Katherine lineup, she completely silenced their bats earning a no-hitter in the process.
Headed into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Hawks needed three runs to complete a run-rule finish. Ashley Waite singled to lead off the inning and back-to-back batters, Shine and Abrego, would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Senior Alicia Corona drove in the first two runs, singling up the middle. Junior, Emily Lonetree, whose outstanding defense at shortstop played a major part in both victories, walked it off, driving in the final run with a single to left field.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps to take on the NCAA D3 Athenas on Friday, February 17. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11 am.