CLAREMONT, Calif. - Danica Stirling had a two-run single to give the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team the lead for good as part of a four-fun fourth as the Athenas took a 4-2 win over Pomona-Pitzer in the first of a three-game series on Friday afternoon at Athena Field. 

With the win, CMS moves to 18-11 overall and pulls even with the Sagehens in the SCIAC standings for fourth at 9-7, while Pomona-Pitzer slips to 20-12 overall. 

CMS fell behind 1-0 in the top of the fourth, but strung together four straight singles to take the lead, culminating in the two-run single from Stirling. Madison Gonzalez singled to right field with one out to start the rally and came out for pinch-runner Megan Kho. Rachel Sapirstein then singled through the left side to put runners on first and second.

Mrdah Murali was then jammed on a soft liner that pitcher Devin Waddell dove for, but it hit off her glove and rolled into foul territory to load the bases. Stirling then singled down the left field line to plate Kho and Sapirstein to put the Athenas ahead 2-1. 

One out later, Kaili Aqui slapped a slow roller to second that she was able to beat out for an infield single, before the throw got away to allow a fourth run to score. 

Pomona-Pitzer got one run back in the top of the fifth and had two runners on with one out in the seventh, but Hannah Adams was able to retire Waddell and Kylie Liu, the top two hitters in the Sagehen line-up, for the final two outs to get the win. 

Adams went seven innings, allowing seven hits and striking out five to get the win and improve to 9-5 on the season. Aqui was 2-for-3 for the Athenas at the plate. 

The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader tomorrow at 12 p.m., weather permitting, at Pomona-Pitzer's Wig Beach Field.