ORANGE, Calif. – Elmhurst Softball kicked off their California trip over the weekend, but the Bluejays are off to a tough start, having fallen in doubleheaders at Whittier (Calif.) and Chapman (Calif.) on Sunday and Monday afternoon.

Game 1
Whitter 7, Elmhurst 5
WP: Zapata • LP: Hoyh (0-2)
HR: Splitgerber (1)

The Bluejays started the road trip red-hot, scoring three runs in the top of the 1st. Annamarie Vivirito's leadoff single and Danielle Hood's double set the table for a three-run blast from Tia Splitgerber. In the top of the 2nd, the Jays stretched their lead to 5-0 after a pair of errors allowed Brenna Morley and Bella Swift to score.

Whittier responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs in the 2nd then two more in the 3rd to cut the Elmhurst lead to 5-4. Kylie Hoyh would retire nine batters in a row, but with two out in the 6th Whittier put together a three-run rally that would give the home team the lead.

Hood and Splitgerber each collected two hits on the day, combining for three RBI and two runs from the 3- and 4-spots in the lineup.

Game 2
Whittier 9, Elmhurst 3
WP: Garcia • LP: Lenczewski (0-3)

Whittier jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second game of the day, scoring four in the 1st and adding another in the bottom of the 2nd. The Bluejays responded in the 3rd inning after Maddie Kreich loaded the bases with a walk, and Hood singled up the middle to drive home Morley and Sidney Carlson to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Whittier would come back with three more runs in the 5th however, and despite Elmhurst's run on a Whittier error in the 6th, would close out the doubleheader sweep.

Bailey Proffitt and Kaylee Aimone each registered two base hits in the game, while Hood drove in two RBI to lead the offense.

Game 3
Chapman 8, Elmhurst 0 (6 inn.)
WP: Hinojosa • LP: Denny (1-1)

Adeline Denny would work through the Chapman lineup without allowing a baserunner to start the opening game on Monday, but the Elmhurst bats would be quiet as well, not recording a base hit until the top of the 4th. Chapman would break through in the 4th inning with four runs on four hits, then add on three more in the 5th and the game-ending run in the 6th take the first game by run rule.

Just four Bluejays would reach base, with three singles and one walk being recorded by the Elmhurst lineup.

Game 4
Chapman 4, Elmhurst 0
WP: Burroughs • LP: Lenczewski (0-4)

The offensive drought continued in game two, with Elmhurst being held scoreless despite six base hits in the game. Chapman posted four runs in the bottom of the 1st, but Hood would keep the Cougars scoreless the rest of the way, pitching 5.1 innings with four strikeouts and one hit allowed.

At the plate, Hood finished 3-for-4 while Carlson, Splitgerber and Clara Rice all recorded base hits in the game.

The Bluejays will look to bounce back on Tuesday afternoon, when they take on Redlands (Calif.) for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. CDT.