Fullerton, CA – The Hope International University softball team (14-4, 2-2 GSAC) won their first two conference games of the year as they swept the San Diego Christian College Hawks winning 4-3 and 3-1 on Monday afternoon at Bastanchury Park in Fullerton, CA.


Game 1:
Allie Puente (8-1) bounced back from her first loss of the season as she pitched a complete game 7 innings while allowing three runs on two hits while walking three and striking out 11. Emma McCraw led the Royals offense going 2-for-4 with two RBIs

It was a pitcher's duel early on as the game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when the Royals finally broke through. Kassie Puente would lead off the inning with a hit by pitch and then two batters later McCraw ripped an RBI double off the bottom of the wall to make it 1-0. A single and a walk followed before Makenna O'Toole delivered a sac fly to increase the Royals lead to 2-0. The Royals would then add to their lead in the bottom of the sixth as McCraw delivered a two out RBI single to make it 3-0.

On the other side Allie Puente was cruising as she carried a no hitter into the top of the seventh but the Hawks offense finally broke through with two home runs to tie the game 3-3 with nobody out. Allie then regrouped and put away the last three batters. The Royals then came up in the bottom half looking to end it. A walk, a single and an error followed to start the inning before Makenna Stuart worked a walk off walk as the Royals won 4-3.


Game 2:
Olivia Candelas got the start pitching 5 2/3 innings allowing one run, none earned on three hits while walking three and striking out four. Grace Craig picked up the win in relief pitching 2/3 of an inning while allowing just one hit. Allie Puente picked up her first save pitching 2/3 of an inning allowing no hits while striking out one. Kassie Puente led the Royals offense going 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs

The Hawks opened the scoring in the top of the first as they took advantage of an error to make it 1-0. The lead didn't last long as the Royals answered in the bottom of the second. With two outs Ariana Coronado walked and Kassie Puente followed with a booming double to right field to tie it 1-1.

The game would stay that way until the bottom of the sixth inning as Candelas shut down the Hawks offense scattering three hits over the next few innings while the Royals offense got back to work. With one out Makenna O'Toole blasted a go ahead solo home run over the right center field fence to make it 2-1. Later in the inning Kassie Puente then delivered a sac fly to make it 3-1.

Craig then came in to finish the top of the sixth and got one out in the seventh before Allie Puente came in and recorded the final two outs in the top of the seventh to give the Royals a 3-1 win.

The Royals continue GSAC action on the road as they head to Arizona to take on OUAZ with a doubleheader beginning on Friday, March 17 at 2:00 PM in Surprise, Arizona.