LA VERNE, Calif. — After Alexis Schiff blasted nation-leading 12th home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the La Verne softball team to an 8-7 walk-off win over Whittier in the first game of a doubleheader, the Leopards dominated the Poets for an 11-1 win in the nightcap to complete the sweep on Saturday at Campus West.
Game 1: La Verne 8, Whittier 7 (8 inn.)
The game seemed destined to go at least another inning as Whittier reliever Annika Seedborg grabbed two quick outs to start the eighth. But ever the big threat, Schiff grabbed a hold one and sent it over the center field wall to give the Leopards the victory.
Schiff hit another homer in the third inning and finished 4-for-4 at the plate with five RBI and three runs scored.
The Poets grabbed a 7-3 lead after a five-run fifth inning but the Leopards responded with a four-run rally of their own in the sixth inning to tie the game. With two outs and a runner on, Melissa Garcia started the rally with a pinch-hit single to center to plate Krystal Smith. Carly Condon followed with a single, Schiff brought in a run with a single up the middle and Katheryn Navarro capped off the inning with a two-run double to deep right.
Navarro (4-1), who started the game as the designated player, took over in the circle in the fifth inning and finished out the game to pick up the win. She also recorded three hits at the plate
Condon also collected three hits and came around to score all three times. Sienna Kendricks added three hits.
Whittier's Kacey Whitney hit two homers to lead the Poet attack.
Game 2: La Verne 11, Whittier 1 (5 inn.)
The Leopards exploded for nine runs in the third inning, highlighted by a grand slam home run by Condon, to win in five innings.
La Verne drew three straight walks to start the third and the floodgates opened. After the walks, Michelle Deguzman got hit by a pitch to push in a run and Angelica DeAngelo followed with single to plate another run. Sienna Kendricks then sacrificed in Justice Borden, Shelby Tevis walked to load the bases again and Rachel Ogata was hit by a pitch to make it 5-1 for La Verne. Condon then slammed her fourth home run of the year to clear the bases and Borden followed with a double to give the Leopards a 10-1 lead.
The Leopards added a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Kendricks.
Whittier elected not to challenge Schiff after getting burned in the first game. Schiff did not record an official at bat as she drew two walks and came around to score both times.
DeAngelo finished 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and three runs scored. Kendricks also went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs.
Hayley Jaquess (4-2) went all five innings and did not allow an earned run to get the win.
Up next
The Leopards are back in action on Tuesday against Williams.