Sagehens Fall to 2007 National Champs

Despite a strong start, the Pomona-Pitzer softball team fell twice to the 2007 Division III National Champions, Linfield College, 7-1 and 11-0.

It looked as if the Sagehens had the momentum going into game one after Sagehen pitcher Mackenzie Smith (PO ’09) helped her team retire the first three Linfield batters in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Pomona-Pitzer rallied when Christine Calderon (PO ’09) doubled to score Arianna Roach (PI ’12), in what would turn out to be the Sagehen’s only run of the day. In the second, the Wildcats fought back with a two-run homerun to put them ahead, 2-1. Linfield scored a run in both the fifth and the sixth innings to bring the score to 4-2. In the seventh inning, the Wildcats broke the game open with three runs on three hits. Although the Sagehens hit well, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, leaving nine runners on base.

In the second game, Pomona-Pitzer faced Linfield’s ace pitcher, senior Brittany Miller, who was able to keep the Sagehens hitless until the third, when Roach singled. Linfield was the first to score, putting four runs on the board in the fourth inning. In the fifth, the Wildcats again displayed their offense with a two-run homerun to put them up 6-0. Miller was able to keep the Sagehens hitless until she left the game after the fifth inning. In the seventh inning, the Wildcats scored five more runs. The Sagehens were unable to rally in the bottom of the inning and the game ended with a final score of 11-0.