The University of La Verne softball team moved to 6-0 on the season by posting an impressive doubleheader sweep over visiting Cal Lutheran in the SCIAC opener Saturday at Wheeler Park.
The Leopards earned a pair of five-inning mercy rule wins, taking the first game 8-0 before taking the second game 10-2.
In the two games, the Leos combined for 24 hits while yielding only four against the Regals.
La Verne scored in each of the first three innings, posting a run in the first, three in the second and fourth to take an 8-0 lead. The fourth inning included RBI from Katherine Kibbe, Candice Nunez, Rachel Hong and Melisa Sponholz.
Rebecca Ho held the Regals scoreless on three hits, registering nine strikeouts in her five innings.
Sponholz, Mackenzie Dutton and Danielle Vela each collected two hits in the game.
In the second game, the Leos spotted the Regals a pair of first inning run before responding with four in the bottom of the frame - highlighted by a two-run double - for a 4-2 lead.
La Verne added two more in the fourth and finished out by scoring four runs in the fifth. Sponholz hit a two-run single to plate Dutton and Kibbe for an 8-2 lead. Vela followed with a two-run single to score Taylor Williams and Sponholz to end the contest via mercy rule.
The Leopards belted 14 hits in the contest, led by Vela who went 3-3 with 3 RBI. Dutton and Sponholz each went 2-3 with Sponholz posting 2 RBI.
Ashley Moore pitched the Leos to victory in allowing just one hit in five innings.
La Verne continues league action against Cal Lutheran as it travels to Thousand Oaks on Monday for a twinbill beginning at 12:00 pm
