LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne softball team finished opening day with a 7-5 win over Whitworth to kick off the 2024 season.

Ashley Rodriguez had an outstanding start to the season. She finished 4-7 at the plate with a pair of doubles, two RBIs, two runs, and one stolen base during the doubleheader. Defensively in centerfield, she made a spectacular diving catch in game one to save a pair of runs and added another hustle catch in the day's final game. 

Rodriguez made her biggest impact in the Leopards' win over the Pirates, finishing with two RBIs, two runs, and a stolen base.

Marissa Acosta and Alyssa Campbell each drove in a pair of runs.

The Leopards jumped on the Pirates in the first inning, benefiting from an error and wild pitch to plate a pair of runs. 

Alyssa Campbell drove in Rodriguez in the inning and extended La Verne's lead to 4-0 with a single to right in the fourth.

After the Pirates cut La Verne's lead to 5-3 in the sixth, the Leopards responded with a three-run sixth inning led by an RBI bunt single from Rodriguez and highlighted by a two-RBI single up the middle from Acosta.

Erika Garcia and Sydney Diaz finished with two hits and two runs scored. Angelina Alderete went 2-3 at the plate with a run.

Kirstin Sanchez picked up the complete game win in the circle.

The win marks the first under Interim Head Coach Tara Anaya, who took over the reins of the Leopard softball program before the season.

The Leopards fell in game one of the doubleheader 7-0. Rodriguez went 3-3 in the game with two doubles.