CLAREMONT, CA – The University of La Verne softball pulled out a 3-2 victory against the Athenas on Friday to clinch a spot in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament.
The Leopards can finish as high as second depending on the outcome of Saturday's games across the conference. It will be the Leopards' first appearance in the postseason since 2022, when they finished the year in third place.
RBIs from
Allie Colenzo and
Mikayla Galaviz sealed the deal against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and set the tone for the series.
Both teams went scoreless in the first and second innings, leaving runners on base, but not finding home. The Leopards found success in the third, aided by some CMS miscues.
Annica Luna reached first on an error and second on a passed ball. After consecutive singles from
Angelina Ratzlaff and Colenzo, the Eastvale native sprinted home and scored the Leos' first run of the game.
Kylee Knight followed, pushing Colenzo to second, and Ratzlaff advanced to third and then scored on an error, bringing the score to 2-0.
The Leopards scored next in the sixth when
Aries Alonso drew a walk with two outs, and La Verne Head Coach
Danielle Kaminaka sent
Natalie Serrano, who has three stolen bases on her this season, to pinch run. Swings from
Mikayla Galaviz and
Brooke Petretti sent Serrano home, pushing the score to 3-0.
The Athenas fought back in the bottom of the sixth, but fell short after a complete seven.
Briana Vasquez picked up her 10th win and 13th complete game of the season. The sophomore scattered five hits and struck out four in the win.
The Leos will finish the series against the Athenas on Saturday, May 2 at 12 p.m. and 2 pm.
