As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.
Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics
2014 Softball: Athenas Reach Super Regionals for First Time
The CMS Softball team was making its sixth straight NCAA appearance in 2014, and was in search of its first regional title. The Athenas had performed well on its earlier trips, including a 2-2 record in 2012 when they opened up with wins over Louisiana College and Texas-Tyler. In 2013, CMS earned a 7-5 win over Southwestern, but were knocked out by SCIAC rival Redlands (after run-ruling the Bulldogs in the SCIAC championship game).
In 2014, CMS and Redlands were again sent to the same regional (which Redlands hosted), but the more immediate problem was an opening round meeting with Linfield, which was ranked No. 2 in the nation. Rather than bemoan the luck of the draw, CMS took to the field and played the Wildcats toe-to-toe. After allowing a run in the first, the Athenas loaded the bases in the bottom half and tied it when Carlene Roberts was hit by a pitch. The bases were loaded again in the third when Roberts delivered a sacrifice fly to make it a 2-1 CMS lead and that was all Hayley Schultz would need as she dominated the high-scoring Linfield offense, allowing three hits over seven innings. A leadoff single in the top of the seventh put some pressure on, but Tara Robinson (3-for-3) made back-to-back plays at shortstop and CMS would come away with the 2-1 win.
CMS would then use two six-run innings to beat Redlands 8-5 and 7-2 to win the regional title and advance to the Super Regionals for the first time ever. The Athenas went three games with East Texas Baptist in the supers, winning the second game 6-4 to force a third and deciding game, before falling by one run just one step shy of the World Series in the deepest tournament run in program history.
Tara Robinson was named the SCIAC Player of the Year and was joined on the All-West team by Schultz. Katie Savard was also first-team All-SCIAC, while Janelle Shiozaki, Morgan Beltz and Brooklyn Robinson were on the second team.
2014 Softball Roster
Head Coach: Betsy Hipple
Assistant Coaches: Gerry Lopez, Lisa Hankerd, Emily Lopez
Morgan Beltz (Sr., C, CMC)
Melanie Carlson (Fr., OF, CMC)
Cassie Davis (Fr., OF, CMC)
Hannah Dunham (Sr., C. CMC)
Alexa Heydenberk (Fr., OF, CMC)
Andrea Jewett (Fr., P, CMC)
Megan Latta (Sr., IF, CMC)
Kaylilani Minami (Fr., P, CMC)
Mikayla O'Neal (So., IF/OF, CMC)
Shannon O'Neill (So., OF, CMC)
Carley Roberts (So., C/IF, CMC)
Brooklyn Robinson (So., IF, Scripps)
Tara Robinson (So., IF, CMC)
Molly Rubidoux (So., P, CMC)
Katie Savard (So., IF, CMC)
Hayley Schultz (Jr., P, CMC)
Janelle Shiozaki (So., OF, CMC)
