ORANGE, Calif. — Angelica DeAngelo and Rachel Ogata each managed two hits and combined to knock in three runs to lead the La Verne softball team to a 4-1 victory over Chapman in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Hart Park.
La Verne lost the first game 4-2.
The Leopards were hitless through the first four innings of the second game but DeAngelo broke the streak with a leadoff double in the top of the fifth to get the rally going. With two outs, Ogata doubled to deep left to plate Krystal Smith, who was pinch running for DeAngelo, and Carly Condon followed with a double down the left field line to give the Leopards a 2-1 lead.
And that was all La Verne needed as pitcher Hayley Jaquess (3-2) allowed just one run on five hits in a complete game effort. It was her first win since beating Whitworth on Jan. 27 and she struck out a season-high five batters.
The Leopards tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth. With runners on second and third, DeAngelo hit a single up the middle to plate both runners, giving the Leopards a 4-1 lead.
DeAngelo and Ogata each finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Condon, Katheryn Navarro and Sienna Kendricks each added a hit.
Chapman's Samantha Tong went 2-for-3 and opened the game's scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single to drive in Sarah Sumida.
Samantha Whalen (6-6) was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs and five hits in three innings.
The Leopards allowed just three hits in the first game—all in the first two innings—but the Panthers scratched together four runs off them and held on for the win.
Chapman's Michaela Foisy led off the bottom of the first with an infield single and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch. Kyra Gallego followed with a walk and the Panthers executed a good bunt play to score Foisy without giving up an out. Tong then drew a walk to load the bases and the Panthers took a 2-0 lead after Saraha Taketa drew another walk to push in Gallego.
The Panthers doubled their lead in the second inning on an RBI triple by Sumida and a sacrifice fly by Gallego in the next at bat.
La Verne's bats never got going. The Leopards had runners on second and third with one out in the top of the third but managed only one run coming off a sacrifice fly by Ogata to cut the deficit to 4-1. The Leopards found themselves in an identical situation the next inning—two runners in scoring position with one out—but once again settled for a single run via a sacrifice fly.
DeAngelo had another good game at the plate, going 2-for-3.
La Verne starter Elisa Ponce kept the Panthers hitless through the final four innings but was charged with the loss, giving up four runs in six innings.
The Leopards are back in action next Saturday at home against Whittier.
