LA VERNE, CA — Senior left fielder
Sydney Diaz collected four hits and two RBIs as the University of La Verne softball team split their Saturday doubleheader against the Bethel University Royals, dropping game one 5-1 but winning game two in six innings, 10-1.
Game Two: La Verne 10, Bethel 1 (Six Innings)
The Leopards rallied for five runs off five hits in the fourth, highlighted by back-to-back doubles from
Alyssa Campbell and
Ashley Rodriguez on the way to the run-rule win.
Diaz led the way with a 3-4 performance at the plate, notched both her RBIs, and added a steal, and freshman
Briana Vasquez had the best outing of her young career.
Janelle Vega started the rally in the fourth with a leadoff double down the right field line. Bethel sophomore pitcher Mary Hajduk responded with two quick outs but then walked consecutive batters sophomore right fielder
Annica Luna and sophomore shortstop
Mackenzie Johnson. That brought Diaz back up to the plate who singled down the left field line to score Luna.
Julia Miramontes added to the momentum with an RBI single. That's when La Verne power hitters Campbell and Rodriguez delivered with doubles to plate three more runs and put the Leopards up 8-1.
In the deciding sixth inning, Campbell reached first base via a throwing error by Bethel junior right fielder Sidney Bartels. Senior
Angelina Alderete checked in to pinch run, representing the winning run. After Rodriguez walked, freshman third baseman
Aries Alonso stepped up to the plate, rocketed the game winning double to the wall, scored both runners, and secured the 10-1 win for the Leopards.
The Leopards opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the third inning off four hits and one error. Bethel's lone run came in the top of the fourth when junior third baseman Olivia Weinberg singled through the left side, driving in pitcher Brianna Tix, who pinch ran for sophomore designated player Abby Otterness after her double to center field.
Vasquez pitched a complete game, improving her record to 2-1, allowing just the one run on three hits and striking out five batters while Tix took the loss, putting her record at 0-2, tossing three innings and giving up one earned run on three hits.
Game One: Bethel 5, La Verne 1
Bethel senior shortstop Autumn Earney hit a leadoff home run off La Verne, giving her team an early 1-0 lead and the Leopards were never able to recover.
The Royals extended their lead in the top of the third inning, scoring two more runs off one hit and an error.
The Leopards scored their only run of the game when Johnson flied out in foul territory but brought home sophomore pinch-runner
Allie Colenzo on the sacrifice. Campbell reached base earlier in the inning with a single to shortstop for the Leopards' first hit of the game.
The Royals scored two more in the top of the sixth inning off three hits, securing the 5-1 win.
Bethel redshirt freshman Dominique Walicke improved her record to 3-0, pitching a complete game, throwing a total of 115 pitches and only allowing one run to score off three hits. Sanchez took a tough loss for La Verne, evening up her record at 2-2 and allowing one earned run on three hits.
Next Game
The Leopards (5-3) will look to keep their momentum going as they open up SCIAC play against the Cal Lutheran Regals this upcoming Thursday in Thousand Oaks at 3 p.m.
