CLAREMONT, Calif. - Reigning SCIAC Hitter of the Week Emma Suh stayed hot with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, but the 10th-ranked Redlands softball team was able to use a 7-run third inning to take a 9-1 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first of a three-game series on Friday at Athena Field. 

Redlands moves to 25-7 overall on the year with the win, and improves to 10-3 in the SCIAC, while CMS slips to 15-8 overall and 6-4 in league play. 

Suh had an RBI single in the fifth as CMS tried to keep the game going after falling behind 9-0 in the top of the fifth. Danica Sterling led off with a single, and Suh was able to plate her with a two-out single. An error put two on with two out, but the Bulldogs were able to get the final out to preserve the win. 

The Athenas nearly got off to the lead early, as Kaili Aqui and Emma Suh led off the bottom of the first with back-to-back infield singles and moved up a base on a wild pitch. Redlands was able to get a forceout at the plate, though, and escape the inning with no runs scored. 

Katlyn Gandara went the distance for Redlands to get the win, allowing five hits (three to Suh), and added a two-run single to put the Bulldogs up 2-0 in the third. 

The two teams will complete their three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader at Redlands, starting at 12 noon.