by BRANDON PETERSEN
It was a long time coming.
After almost a three-year wait, Westcliff softball finally took the field at the Great Park Tuesday afternoon for a double-header with Chapman, and what a time it was.
The stadium was packed with blue as Dean of Athletics Shawn Harris tossed out the ceremonial first pitch, and soon after starting pitcher Nina Hendriks made it official with her own.
Chapman took the first contest, a back-and-forth affair, 3-2, before taking home the nightcap, 2-0.
After the Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first frame, Westcliff battled back in the home half to take a 2-1 advantage.
After Natalie Zeigler walked to start the frame, Alyssa Vigil moved her to second with the first base hit in Westcliff softball history, a single to left.
Becky Ramos walked to load the bases a few batters later, and Celeste Huffman made a bit more history with the program's first RBI, scoring Zeigler on a ringing single to right.
Desarae Moreno then gave the Warriors the lead with a booming sacrifice fly to left that scored Vigil.
Chapman took back the lead for good in the top of 4th, scoring a pair.
In the nightcap, Chapman's Jillian Kelly tossed a no-no.
Up next, the Warriors travel up the five to La Mirada for a double-header with Biola Friday.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.
