LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Elmhurst would use a late rally in both games of a doubleheader on Thursday, coming from behind to earn a sweep over hosts Occidental (Calif.) and winning game one 5-3 before an extra-inning 4-3 victory in game two.

Game 1
Elmhurst 5, Occidental 3
WP: Denny (2-1) • LP: Acoba

The home side would jump out to a 2-0 lead after scoring twice in the 1st inning, then push the lead to three with another run in the bottom of the 4th. Elmhurst struggled to produce much at the plate until the top of the 5th. After a leadoff walk from Grace Hayes, Danielle Hood would drive in the first run of the day with a two-out single. Occidental committed a fielding error that would have ended the threat, then Brenna Morley tied the game with a two-run double down the left field line.

After a walk and a base hit from Maddie Kreich loaded the bases again, Bailey Proffitt would give the Jays the lead with a base hit to left. In her second trip to the plate in the inning, Hayes was hit by a pitch, driving in another run to give Elmhurst a 5-3 lead.

Adeline Denny pitched all seven innings, striking out four to earn the win. Proffitt finished 2-for-4 at the plate, while Morley went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Game 2
Elmhurst 4, Occidental 3 (8 innings)
WP: Lenczewski (1-4) • LP: Alfaro

Occidental would repeat their early success in game two, scoring two runs in the bottom of the 1st again, then adding a run in the 4th for another 3-0 lead. The Bluejays would be held off the scoreboard until the top of the 6th, when three straight singles from Annamarie Vivirito, Morley, and Hood led off the frame.

Two runs would come home on Hood's base hit, after an error in the outfield allowed the Jays to get on the board. Another error would bring Hood home to tie the game at 3-3.

After Emma Lenczewski worked around the potential game-winning run in scoring position in the bottom of the 7th, a two-out double from Hood in the 8th inning would bring home Sidney Carlson for the go-ahead run.

Hood would finish 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored to lead the Bluejay offense. Lenczewski picked up the win in the circle, throwing five innings with just four hits and one run allowed.

Elmhurst continues their California trip with a doubleheader on Friday, March 27, against California Lutheran. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. CDT.