LA VERNE, CA — Senior outfielder Ashley Rodriguez connected for her fourth home run of the season and drove in six runs as the University of La Verne softball team split their Saturday doubleheader against the Washington University in St. Louis Bears, dropping game one 12-9 in eight innings, but taking game two 7-1. 

Game Two: La Verne 7, WashU 1

Reigning SCIAC Pitcher of the Week freshman Briana Vasquez threw a gem and Rodriguez added the highlight with a two-run shot as the Leopards rebounded from their opener to send the Bears home with a loss.

Vasquez was dominant again for the Leopards, improving her record to 3-1. The rookie tossed her second-straight complete game while only allowing one run, none earned, on five hits.
 
The Leopards used small ball to build an early 4-1 lead. Freshmen infielders Reagan Hallet and Mackenzie Johnson hit back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the second inning with the game tied up 1-1. Freshman Janelle Vega followed with a walk loading the bases for sophomore second baseman Julia Miramontes who laid down a successful bunt. Bears' pitcher Hattie Bond made an errant throw to home in an attempt to get the force out but instead allowed both Hallet and Johnson to score, putting the Leopards up 3-1.

Senior outfielder Angelina Alderete secured her first RBI of the game when she laid down a sacrifice bunt that brought in Vega to give La Verne the lead by three runs.

With two outs in the inning and Miramontes on third, Rodriguez crushed the ball over the left center fence and extended the Leopards' lead to five runs, 6-1. The two run shot ended Bond's day in the circle, allowing six runs, four earned, on three hits while also walking three Leopards as sophomore Maria Brooks took over pitching duties for WashU.

La Verne cushioned their lead once more in the bottom of the third inning when senior designated player Cassandra Gilbert hit a leadoff single and eventually found her way home when Miramontes hit a dribbler to Brooks in the circle and beat out the tag attempt at home plate. 

Rodriguez earned her first RBI of the game with an infield ground out that plated Alderete.

Game One: WashU 12, La Verne 9 (8 innings)

The Leopards held a 4-1 lead entering the sixth but the Bears scored 11 runs in the final four innings to pull off the comeback win. 

Sydney Schneider brought the Bears back when she hit a solo shot in the fifth and brought in two more with a single in the sixth to put the score at 4-1.

Maggie Baumstark tied the game with a solo home run in the seventh that sparked a five-run inning and gave the Beats an 8-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. 

But the Leopards fought back. Annica Luna drove in Sydney Diaz after pinch hitter Gilbert drew a walk. Rodriguez energized her squad when she hit a triple to left center that scored two more runs. Alyssa Campbell forced extras when she singled in Rodriguez to even the game 8-8. 

But WashU's offense continued to score in the eight, plating four more runs highlighted by a Julia Nicholus' base-clearing triple.

Rodriguez finished the game with three RBIs, and Alyssa Campbell scored two.  

Alayna Munoz got the start in the circle and pitched well in five innings, allowing just one run with one strikeout and no walks. 

Jamie Burgasser picked up the win in two innings of relief for the Bears

Next Game

The Leopards open SCIAC play on the road at Cal Lutheran with an 11 a.m. game on Sunday, March 16.