LA VERNE, CA — Erika Garcia hit a walk-off single to give the Leopards a 4-3 win over Brandeis University Thursday evening.

Tied 3-3 in the seventh with runners on the corners, Garcia hit a shot to left field that sent reigning SCIAC Athlete of the Week Ashley Rodriguez across the plate for the win.

The Leopards led 2-1 entering the seventh, but the Judges tied and then took the lead on consecutive at-bats of an RBI double and sacrifice fly.

La Verne took advantage of a Brandeis error to get Angelina Alderete on base, and she stole second to get into scoring position. Marissa Acosta stepped up next and answered the call, doubling in Alderete to even the score.

After Rodriguez drew a walk, Isabella Garcia reached on a fielder's choice and moved Rodriguez into scoring position, setting up Erika Garcia's heroics.

Alayna Munoz earned the complete game win and struck out three.

Game One: Brandeis 6, La Verne 5

La Verne hopped out to an early 2-0 in the second inning, but the Judges did not shy away, taking a 3-2 lead in the next inning. The Leopards rallied in the fourth, scoring three runs, benefiting from a Judges' error to retake the lead. 

But the Judges added three more runs in the final three innings to take the game-one win.

Jaidyn Alvarez closed the game, pitching four innings and finishing with three strikeouts. 

The Leopards will continue non-conference play in a doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, February 24th, beginning at noon.