The University of La Verne softball squad concluded its eight-game homestand with a doubleheader sweep over visiting George Fox University, taking the opener 10-3 before posting a 1-0 shutout over the Bruins in the nightcap Tuesday at Wheeler Park.

The Leopard offense flourished in Game 1, amassing 18 hits in the contest including a pair of homers from Raven Freret and Danielle Vela.

After the Bruins scored a run in the top of the first, La Verne scored two runs in the bottom of the frame on RBI singles from Jackie Duran and Candice Nunez to take a 2-1 lead.  In the second, the Leopards plated four runs on a two-run double from Vela along with a Freret homer over the right centerfield fence for a 6-1 lead.

Leading 7-3, Vela smacked a three-run shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth to help seal the victory for the Leos.  Vela finished 4-4 at the plate, falling a triple short of the cycle with 5 RBI and three runs scored.  Durant went 3-4 while Amanda Copas finished 2-3 with two runs scored.

Katherine Kibbe went the first three innings for the Leopards with three strikeouts and no walks.  Ashley Moore and Rebecca Ho pitched two innings each with Moore earning the victory with two strikeouts with Ho registering three strikeouts.

In the second game, pitching and defense prevailed as both teams were held scoreless for the first three innings.  In the bottom of the fourth, the Leopards broke through for the lone run when Mackenzie Dutton doubled to right center with two out, scoring Nunez to break the deadlock at 1-0.  Nunez walked and reached second on a wild pitch to precede Dutton's game-winning hit.

From there, Rachel Hong silenced the Bruin bats in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out five batters in her four innings of work in support of starter Lindsay Godwin, who worked the first three frames yielding just two hits. 

George Fox pitcher Rachel Fielder went the distance, allowing six hits with three strikeouts in her six innings as the Bruins drop to 13-13 on the season.

The Leopards earned their fourth straight win to improve to 17-9 on the year and will resume conference play Friday as it travels to Claremont to face Pomona-Pitzer.  The twinbill is scheduled for a 2:00 pm start.