LA VERNE, CA — Senior center fielder Ashley Rodriguez recorded two hits and her 35th RBI of the season as the University of La Verne softball team dropped a thrilling SCIAC game to the No. 10 University of Redlands Bulldogs, 4-3.
 
With no score heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, senior left fielder Sydney Diaz reached base on a throwing error by Bulldogs' shortstop Natalie Lopez, putting a runner on for Rodriguez, who ripped a triple off the left field fence and gave the Leopards a 1-0 lead. Freshman first baseman Reagan Hallet followed with a sacrifice fly, collecting her 14th RBI of the season and extending La Verne's lead 2-0.
 
The Bulldogs wasted no time answering back, tying the game up in the top of the fifth inning off three hits.
 
Senior Kirstin Sanchez relieved freshman starter Brianna Vasquez at the beginning of the top of the sixth inning, and the tied score held until the top of the seventh. Sanchez recorded two quick outs, but after Redlands junior left fielder Brooklyn Bard reached an error, Gandara approached the plate and hit a go-ahead home run over the centerfield fence.
 
The Leopards did not go down without a fight, scattering four hits and scoring one run in the bottom of the seventh, but Gandara was able to close it out and secure the 4-3 win for herself and the Bulldogs.

Vasquez tossed five innings, only allowing two runs on eight hits while Redlands junior starter Katlyn Gandara pitched a complete game, surrendering three runs, two earned, on nine hits.
 
Freshman shortstop Mackenzie Johnson and sophomore second baseman Julia Miramontes both smacked two hits while Diaz scored her 18th run of the season.
 
The Leopards will wrap up their three-game series against the Bulldogs with a doubleheader in Redlands this Saturday at the "Field of Dreams," with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.