The California Lutheran University Regals softball team (18-15 and 9-11) fell to the No. 9 Redlands Bulldogs (33-7 and 18-3) in both games of the team’s doubleheader on Senior Day (7-4 and 9-4). Before the games, the eight seniors on the Regals were honored for their accomplishments and contributions to the Cal Lutheran softball program: Ashlyn Flinchum, Jasmine Delgado, Hanna Booth, Siobhan Sandoval, Mia Antonino, Abby Strong, Olivia Vargas, and Anna Chavez.
Senior infielder Mia Antonino said she was proud of how the team competed throughout the game and season in every moment.
โI think we came in the game just kind of high energy all the way and we stayed like that. We kept battling, and thatโs a good team,โ Antonino said.
In the first game, Cal Lutheran jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore outfielder Reyna Perez scored on a fielderโs choice initiated by sophomore infielder Jessica Waters. The game continued to swing back and forth for the next four innings.
โI was telling the girls this: ‘We just have to give credit where itโs earned.’ Thatโs a good team and we battled in there until the eighth inning,โ senior infielder Olivia Vargas said.
Going into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Regals trailed 4-3 until senior catcher Hanna Booth doubled to left center to score Waters. The score remained tied at the end of the sixth inning, sending the game into extra innings.
โThat was a really good game. Itโs probably one of my best softball games Iโve ever played here,โ Booth said.
In the top of the seventh, the Regals managed to throw out Katlyn Gandara of Redlands at the plate to keep the game tied.
In the eighth inning, the Redlands crowd was sent into a frenzy after the umpires ruled Isabella Culp out of the base path on a missed tag from Antonino; however, the Bulldogs followed by scoring three runs to take a 7-4 lead, which the Bulldogs held onto to win the game in eight innings.
โWe played a great game. We just didnโt get the last two key hits that we needed too, but other than that, we hung in there and we did what we were supposed to do,โ Vargas said.
In the second game, the Regals, down 3-0 in the second, scored two runs on a two-run home run by senior outfielder Anna Chavez to make it a one-run game. Down 6-2 in the bottom of the fourth, the Regals scored two more runs but ultimately fell short as they allowed three runs throughout the sixth and seventh innings, and lost 9-4.
Booth said playing in front of family, especially from out of state, meant everything to her.
โI think everyoneโs playing extra hard today because all of our families are here,โ Booth said.
Head Softball Coach Kecia Davis said coaching the seniors was the reason why she took the job to begin with.
โThe main reason I did this was for them. I wanted them to have ownership and I wanted them to have a great year, and I wanted them to be leaders, and they did all those things,โ Davis said.
Vargas said she wouldnโt choose to have the season end any other way, and that every part of the day was special.
โEverything. Seeing like, my whole family here, just everything. Itโs so sad to see my career coming to an end, but Iโm glad itโs here at Cal Lu, with this team,โ Vargas said.
Davis said the seniors not only proved themselves throughout the season but earned the spots they received.
โThey started and they kept their positions because they played so well. And so, it was their team. I mean, itโs completely their team,โ Davis said.
According to CLU Sports, the Regals achieved the most wins in a single season for the program since 2015 with an 18-15 overall record.
โIt means everything to me, this team has been amazing. They’re the most supportive team I’ve ever been on, and I just canโt wait to see what they do,โ Antonino said.
Davis said the culture the seniors are leaving behind is in large part due to their efforts on and off the field during their time in the purple and gold.
โSuper proud of them. Super proud of how they never gave up,โ Davis said. โIโm super proud of how they became better leaders throughout the time.โ
