LA VERNE, Calif. — Trailing 11-7 in the bottom of the seventh, the University of La Verne softball team had the bases loaded with no outs and looked poised to come back from an early seven-run deficit in the second game of a doubleheader against powerhouse Williams.
The Leopards pushed across one with a walk to get within 11-8 but the hope of a comeback was dashed in a flash. With the bases still packed Danielle Vela shot a liner back to the pitcher. Unfortunately for the Leopards, the ball glanced off the pitcher and found the glove of second baseman Lexi Curt, who stepped on the second herself and turned it around to first to complete a game-ending double play.
An eight-run Williams second inning proved the difference. The Ephs sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning and Curt capped it off with a three-run home run to straightaway center to give Williams an 8-1 lead.
The offense regrouped to put six runs on the board in the fourth and the fifth, but Williams kept the Leopards at an arm's length with three runs of their own in that stretch.
Katherine Kibbe, who got the start at first base, went 2-for-3 and scored three runs for La Verne. Mackenzie Dutton and Victoria Baltazar also went 2-for-3 each.
Raeleen Tellez worked the RBI walk in the seventh and drove in two more with a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning.
Game 1: Williams 12, La Verne 1
The Leopards could not establish an offensive rhythm, as they were held to five hits in a 12-1 loss in the first game.
Three of the hits came in the first inning. After the Ephs put up a two-spot to open the game, La Verne responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning as Vela led off with a double and Rebecca Ireland followed with a push single to right. The Leopards then loaded the bases after Alexis Schiff was hit by a pitch and Kibbe singled, but could not add to the score.
Margo Beck had a two-run homer in the third for Williams and the Ephs put together two four-run innings to pull away.
Emalie Rott earned the win after pitching four innings while giving up one run. Brooke Bovier turned in three scoreless inning in relief for Williams.
Up next
La Verne falls to 12-14 on the season while Williams move to 4-1. The Leopards return to action this weekend at No. 15 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for a doubleheader. First game starts at noon.