LA VERNE, CA — Senior catcher Alyssa Campbell went three for three and picked up her 24th RBI of the season as the University of La Verne softball team took game one of a three game series against the Occidental Tigers on Friday by the score of 3-2.

Senior Kirsten Sanchez tossed four innings of one-run ball and picked up the win, improving her record to 6-5 on the season. Tigers sophomore starter Sam Alfaro took the loss, now sitting at 0-4 on the season.

The Leopards teed off Alfaro, combining for nine hits and scoring their three runs in the bottom of the first and second innings.

Occidental cut the Leopards' lead to one in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring one run off two hits, but La Verne held on, and sophomore Jada Coria picked up her first save of the season, throwing three innings in relief.
Freshman Mackenzie Johnson led the Leopards on the field, making a play on every ball hit her way in a busy game at shortstop. She highlighted her play with a diving stop and toss to second to get the Leopards within an out of clinching the game.

With the win, the Leopards are 13-10 overall and 4-2 in SCIAC play. The jungle cat battle continues with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at noon at Bell Field in Los Angeles.