LA VERNE, CA — Sophomore pitcher Jada Coria picked up her first win and start of the season as the University of La Verne softball team swept their doubleheader against the University of Whitworth Pirates on Monday, taking game one 6-1, and walking off game two in five innings, 8-0 courtesy of a game-winning double off the bat of senior pitcher Kirstin Sanchez.

Game one: La Verne 6, Whitworth 1

Sophomore Allie Colenzo was hit by a pitch by Whitworth's pitcher Teeghan Reams to begin the bottom of the third inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Makenzie Johnson followed with a single through the left side, allowing Colenzo to move up to third. Johnson tried to catch Whitworth's defense sleeping and took off for second but was caught in a rundown. Colenzo took advantage of the distraction and raced home for the Leopards' first run.

With two runners on in the bottom of the fourth, freshman Alexis Keifer ripped a double to left center, extending her team's lead to 3-0.

The Leopards stretched their lead by another three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning off three hits and an error while the Pirates scored their lone run of the game in the top of the seventh.

Coria tossed a complete game, only allowing one run on five hits and striking out three.

Game Two: La Verne 8, Whitworth 0 (5 Innings)

La Verne's bats stayed hot in game two, combining for eight runs off eleven hits while junior Jaidynn Alvarez was lights out in the circle for the Leopards, throwing a scoreless five innings and only giving up five hits.

Already up in the game 4-0, the bottom of the fifth inning began with back-to-back doubles from senior Alyssa Campbell and senior Ashley Rodriguez. Now up 5-0, Johnson drove an RBI single up the middle and knocked Lyman out of the game, bringing in Whitworth senior Reiss McIntyre.

Facing a new pitcher in the same inning, freshman Reagan Hallet hit the Leopards' third double of the inning to left field, bringing in Johnson and cushioning La Verne's lead by seven.

With Hallet representing the game-winning eighth run on second base, Sanchez approached for her first plate appearance of the season, ripping a long double to right center, scoring Hallet and ending the game in five innings via the run rule.

From the Coach

"We needed to show that we can come out and take two," said Head Coach Danielle Kaminaka. "Being able to see that consistency today and a little bit of something from everyone was awesome."

Up Next

The Leopards (10-6 overall, 3-2 SCIAC) will return to play this Wednesday at Campus West when they host the St. Olaf College Lions for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.